“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” —William Arthur Ward

How often are we given something, anything, from another person’s time or shoulder (to cry on) to a bunch of flowers that make us smile and feel happy?

How often do we take the time to really feel the gratitude? Not just say “thank you” and move on but feel the generosity of spirit given.

How often do we express our inner gratitude and joy to those around us and to Life? If we do, how do we do it?

Our hearts expand when we express thankfulness to family and friends and strangers.

Gratitude helps us handle our stress levels while at the same time improving our health and raising our positivity. A simple act of kindness makes you and the receiver feel great, and so does expressing and receiving gratitude.

I have created a list of 7 ways we can express our inner gratitude and joy; I hope you find them useful.

Create a Gratitude List

Settle yourself somewhere comfortable with a notebook and pencil and write the 10 things you are most thankful for in your life. Pin it on the wall or stick it somewhere you can see it – make it a pretty list!

I do this every day and the difference it has made in my life is phenomenal. In fact, I even thank gratitude for showing me the path to gratitude!

Keep a Gratitude Journal

Every day, write those things for which you are most thankful in your journal. Don’t keep a journal? You hate writing? This article will point you in the direction of banishing your loathing and get you writing.

The point is, whatever you write doesn’t really matter; big or small, it’s the action of recording these things in some way that makes the difference.

I constantly recommend The Magic 28 Days of putting your gratitude into practice with truly magical outcomes.

Being thankful every day, in writing, can help you move on from what you think you are lacking or whatever you’re unhappy with to what’s good in life.

Adopt the Practice of Grateful Thinking

By focussing on what you’re grateful for each day, you’ll create a habit. A good habit, because gratitude is the beginning of happiness… and we all need as much happiness as we can find.

Does happiness create joy? The jury is out on this one (soooo many different opinions) but I think most of us feel that joy is much, much bigger than happiness. Yes or No?

Start Each Day with a Routine

Very simple. Guaranteed to raise your spirits first thing in the morning.

Start tomorrow morning …

Recognise Each Day as a Gift

Because. Quite simply, it is. As the saying goes:

Yesterday is history,

Today is a mystery, but

This moment is a gift…

Which is why it is called:

The Present

Of course, many people now call a present a gift. Same thing, but gift doesn’t fit as well with the rest of the saying!

Do Something Unexpected for Someone

The list is endless:

• Buy some flowers for a friend
• Take someone out for a coffee
• Give the homeless man in the street a coffee and a sandwich
• Give someone your parking ticket that still has an hour or two to go
• Pay for someone’s shopping at the checkout
• There are so many in this world who have little to nothing… it will help you realise just how much you really have.

Smile

I am a great believer in the healing power of a smile and how it shows your gratitude… just for being alive.

A smile raises your energy and the energy of those around you, so feel grateful for the power of your smile knowing how many lives you can affect.

On a personal note, I am very hot on happiness, joy and smiling; in fact, some years ago I wrote a book “25 Ways to a Happier Healthier You.” Completely updated with the latest scientific happiness breakthroughs …

Never forget… happiness starts with gratitude and it all starts with you.

There you have it… time to practice and show the world your inner gratitude and joy. We’d love to know how you express your own inner joy. Does it begin with gratitude or something else? How powerful is the emotion for you?