If you are looking for a closer connection to God or just a...

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A post shared by Topher Pike (@topherpikebooks) on Mar 4, 2020 at 6:01am PST

If you are looking for a closer connection to God or just a happier life in general, gratitude is the first place you must start. It is the foundation for all great thinkers, and by far, the most important practice you will ever incorporate into your daily routine. It’s the first thing you should focus on when you get up in the morning and the last thing you think about as you fall asleep. You will not only feel better about yourself, but this simple act will awaken the God presence that lives in you. No matter how long it’s been sleeping.

I could go on a rant about the importance of having a grateful heart, but what’s the point. You either already know this truth, or you think you’re too damn busy to take five minutes from your day to contemplate the thought. I don’t have a Ph.D. in philosophy or some fancy medical degree to wave around, but there are hundreds of books that talk about the mental and physical benefits of gratitude. They are easy to find, and they all say the same thing. If you want to live a better life, you must intentionally practice gratitude daily. Read that sentence again and again until you are sick of your voice. Better yet, pick three things you are grateful for today and thank God for them before you fall asleep.

Gratitude is the quickest and easiest way to find peace and happiness in your life, and it works for every single person in every circumstance. It is not only your signal to God that your heart is open, but proof that you are ready to listen. It’s by far the best way to get his attention, and if you want to open up the lines of communication, don’t look any further. Saying thank you is the most powerful prayer you will ever use and a declaration that you’re ready to receive more of God’s blessings. Practicing gratitude should be a daily choice and never be a reaction to your external environment.

Passion