Let’s Play 2 Truths, 1 Lie - Gratitude Edition

By Erika Fehrenbach Prell

Have you ever played this? If you haven’t been introduced with this popular ice breaker, I will quickly explain the rules. Everyone takes a turn telling 2 truths and 1 lie about themselves while guesses are thrown out about which is the lie. Once you get over the hardest part, which in my opinion is actually coming up with something to say, it’s quite entertaining and a fascinating way to get to know people. Like the real, interesting stuff about people. 

As the ultimate in gratitude holidays, Thanksgiving, is about to unfold this week, I thought I might be able to serve you in 2 important ways. One, you might have something entertaining to play at the Thanksgiving table. As many of us are doing more intimate celebrations this year, feel free to put a Thanksgiving twist on it with 2 Dreams, 1 Fail or something like that. This might be particularly warranted if you don’t want to learn interesting details on family members' lives. Some things are best never known by your mother, if you catch my drift. Secondly, learning or refreshing on gratitude is a lesson that never goes out of style. 

Without further ado, cue the game show music, it’s time to play 2 Truths, 1 Lie - Gratitude Edition!! (The crowd goes wild!!)

1. Gratitude improves your physical and mental health.
2. Gratitude increases mental toughness.
3. Gratitude is hard to practice.
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What’s your guess?!? Which is the lie? (Okay, maybe that wasn’t so hard...lol.)

Gratitude Improves Your Physical and Mental Health - TRUTH
Study after study after study has consistently shown gratitude improves both. People have reported less aches and pains and general feelings of better health when practicing gratitude. Interestingly, people practicing gratitude are more likely to actively take care of their health through exercise and nutrition. Gratitude has shown to reduce the toxic negative feelings like envy, resentment, frustration, and regret, replacing these feelings with happiness. That’s positivity repelling negativity in action, DreamChaser!

Gratitude Increases Mental Toughness - TRUTH
Again, good ole study results indicate gratitude helps your mental toughness by reducing stress and increasing resiliency. Those practicing gratitude also report less feelings of depression, too! Even more reason to work out that gratitude muscle!

Gratitude is Hard to Practice - LIE
Well, sort of. Here’s the thing. Gratitude is super easy to do, but it’s also super easy NOT to do. To benefit from all that gratitude has to offer, which is way more than what I listed here, you just have to be grateful. Thanks, Erika, but how do I BE grateful?!? So glad you asked! The simplest way for me to start practicing gratitude was to write down 1 thing every morning that I was grateful for and why. You don’t have to write them down but I find it makes it easier for me to do. You can also use gratitude prompts to help you start. And, obvi, we got your back there, too! Grab the SoulShine 21 Day gratitude journal here → 
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/3mYB80Q/gratitudejournal

The hardest part about practicing gratitude is like any other habit; it’s remembering to do it. I have an empty journal and pen sitting at my bedside table. When I wake up, I grab that journal and write down my 1 thing I am grateful for and why. This is how I intentionally set my day with a positive, happiness vibe. And, on days I feel down, I grab that journal and read all the things I am grateful for...it’s an instant mood elevator!

By the way, we are grateful for YOU being here, DreamChaser. We are grateful to be able to serve you on your journey to living your best life with fun, inspiration and intention. Thank you for trusting us in guiding you and journeying with you!

Have a Happy and Grateful Thanksgiving! Shine on!

P.S. We would love to hear what YOU are grateful for! Drop it in the comments!