Counting your blessings and practicing gratitude have many benefits and are a great way to lift our spirits. It can also help reduce our stress and anxiety. Keeping a gratitude journal can be therapeutic and help us focus on the positive things we have in life to be grateful for. In fact, writing is a powerful process. When you express your gratitude for others in written form, it can have a more profound impact and lift others’ spirits, too. Whether written for verbal, words of affirmation for others are powerful ways to express gratitude.
Words Of Affirmation Are A Love Language
A popular book for couples is Gary Chapman’s “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret To Love That Lasts”. The book was so popular that it turned into a series. Not only can you learn the secret to romantic love that lasts, but you can learn how to apply the five love languages to your children, teens, and others. The idea behind the five love languages is that every person has their own way of giving and receiving love. You may feel most loved when your partner brings you gifts or helps you around the house with chores. But your partner may feel most loved when you speak words of affirmation to them. The key is to find out your partner’s primary love language and make sure to express your love using their preferred love language (not your own).
Words of affirmation are one of those five love languages. When you speak words of affirmation to your loved ones, you communicate your love, appreciation, and respect for them. You have the power to brighten their day and feel better about themselves. If you are shy and reserved or have difficulty expressing your words in person, you can write them out instead.
Written Words Of Affirmation Are Powerful
Some people are simply better with words when they have time to think and write them out. In today’s culture, busy lives have led to a fading away of love letters and thank you cards. We get so caught up in all of the things we must do every day, checking off our to-do list, we sometimes forget to acknowledge what a blessing the important people in our lives are to us. It’s precisely for this reason that written notes expressing gratitude are even more appreciated by the recipient. Don’t be surprised if they don’t keep it tucked away to look back on when they could use a boost in their mood.
Your words have meaning, but it’s often said that actions speak louder than words. Written words of affirmation give action to the words you want to express. Your recipient will have a pleasant surprise when receiving it, and it may help encourage them if they are having a difficult day. This gesture can help strengthen the bond in your relationship, too.
Examples Of Written Affirmations And Expressions Of Gratitude
Your written words of appreciation don’t have to be long or take much time to create. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Slip a love letter in your partner’s coat jacket or purse.
- Place a post-it note of love in your child’s lunch box.
- Send your colleague an email or written thank you note to say you appreciate their assistance.
- Mail your best friend a funny card with a written note for no reason but to make them smile.
- Leave a thank you note in the mailbox for your postal worker.
- Send a thank you card to your doctor or other health professionals that cared for you well when you were sick or injured.
This is just a short list to spark your creativity. If you make this act of kindness a consistent habit, you will touch the lives of many people and spread kindness throughout your community.