The Practice of Noticing the Good

November is a great reminder to slow down and focus on gratitude and the things and people we are thankful for. Practicing gratitude can have a powerful impact on our overall health and well-being by helping reduce stress, improve our mood, strengthen relationships, and build resilience.

And here’s something pretty amazing: our brains can actually be and trained to notice more of the good. Through neuroplasticity, the brain strengthens the pathways we use most often. So, when we intentionally look for the things and people, we are grateful for, we begin teaching our brains to recognize them more easily. We may start noticing the beauty of the sky on our drive to work, the way the trees look in the morning light, someone holding a door open for us, a kind text from a friend, or even a quiet moment in the middle of a busy day. Often, it’s the little things that we rush right past. The more we practice noticing them, the more naturally our minds begin to look for moments of gratitude and appreciation.

Here is a quick challenge for today: take a minute right now to text or email someone and tell them why you’re grateful for them or what you appreciate about them. Be specific, be genuine, and don’t overthink it. A small moment of gratitude can make a big difference—not only for the person receiving it, but for you too. ❤️