Living An Authentic Life 1 | Page 17

Practicing authenticity Live in Gratitude Take the time to acknowledge and give back the kindness that you receive each day. Often we say “thank you” as an automatic response, without stopping to think if we actually mean what we say. Reciprocating kindness can go far beyond saying thank you. Being kind is the essence of grace, and keeping this in mind will naturally cause us to live a more authentic life. How often do you take the time to tell someone that you genuinely and wholeheartedly appreciate them? Expressing gratitude to someone for maybe not what they necessarily do for you, but, rather what they mean to you creates a deeper sense of relatedness with one another. Make it a habit to share your appreciation with the people around you and let them know how happy you are to have them as part of your life. Be the catalyst to bring joy to people and open their hearts. There is no reason to limit your expression of gratitude to only family and friends. Make a conscious effort to show appreciation to people outside your immediate circle. Whether it’s your postal worker, your officemate, gym instructor, barista or grocery clerk, find a way to sincerely demonstrate gratitude. [ 17 ] l i v i n g a n a u t h e n t i c l i f e CC B Y - NC - N D 4 . 0