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130 Gratitude Prompts

Joel Wong, Ph.D.

These prompts help us reflect on what we’re grateful for and whom we’re grateful to. Not all the prompts will apply to your life. If a particular prompt doesn’t apply to you, simply skip it, and move on to the next prompt.

Micro Gratitude 
1.    What are some simple, ordinary things that contribute to my well-being?
2.    What are some good things in my life that I’ve taken for granted?
3.    Describe a recent interaction with someone that went well.
4.    Which aspect of my health am I grateful for? 
5.    What are some things in my home that give me with a sense of comfort?
6.    What do I like about the chair or table that I’m currently using?
7.    What do I like about the weather this week?
8.    What do I like about my office/classroom?

9.    What do I like about the neighborhood I live in? 
10.    What is my favorite place in town?
11.    What do I like about the organization or school I belong to?
12.    What do I like about the mode of transportation I use on a regular basis (e.g., bus/bicycle/car)? 
13.    What do I like about my electronic device (e.g., cellphone)?
14.    What are some resources I have that others might not have access to?
15.    What was my favorite meal this week and why?
16.    What is my favorite restaurant and what do I like about it?
17.    What is my favorite hobby and what I do like about it?
18.    In what ways is the volunteer activity I participate in meaningful?
19.    What do I like about the city, country, or place I live in?
20.    What opportunity was I given to participate in a pleasant activity this week?
21.    What activity do I enjoy so much that I’m often in the zone [you lose track of time and you’re fully immersed in the experience]?
22.    What do I enjoy about the food/beverage I eat/drink?
23.    What do I appreciate about the view outside the window of my home/office?
24.     What do I enjoy about the physical surroundings near my home?
25.    What do I enjoy about the music I listen to?
26.    [Look at a photograph you recently took.] What do I appreciate about the things or people in the photograph? 


Varieties of Goodness
27.    Describe an event or experience that was enjoyable or pleasant. 
28.    What are some opportunities I’ve been given to be successful?
29.    What are some things that make my life better or more convenient?
30.    What are some societal rights that contribute to my well-being? 
31.    What historical event am I grateful for?
32.    In what ways have others showed me that they value me?
33.    What opportunities have I been given to make a positive difference in the lives of others or in my organization or community? 
34.    What opportunities have I been given to pursue my interests, follow my values, or live out purpose in life?
35.    What spiritual experiences have positively transformed my life?
36.    What are some bad things that could have, but didn’t, happen? 
37.    In what ways have I experienced relief from suffering?
38.    What important insights about myself, others, or the world have I received?
39.    How have I experienced awe (witnessing something profoundly grand or beautiful)? 
40.    What are some good things that happened to other people who are important or close to me?


Principle of Abundance
41.    In what ways has life been overly generous to me?
42.    In what ways am I lucky?
43.    What went surprisingly well this week? 
44.    What event in my life went better than expected? 
45.    In what ways have I been given blessings that are even better than what I had previously hoped for? 
46.    [Imagine that you could go back in time to your childhood.] What is the biggest blessing I have received in life that I wouldn’t have been able to predict as a child?
47.    In what ways have I received blessings that feel like a miracle?
48.    What has been the most surprising benefit I’ve received?
49.    How have I experienced grace from other people or a higher power?
50.    Who has been exceedingly kind to me in ways that I don’t deserve? 
51.    In what ways have I received more good things than I’m entitled to?
52.    What opportunities have I been given that not many people have?
53.    In what ways have I experienced a blessing in disguise, such that something bad unexpectedly led to a positive outcome?


Principle of the Gift Mindset 
54.    In what ways are the good things in my life a gift to me?
55.    What are some benefits I received this week that I didn’t have to pay for?
56.    How are my relationships with others a gift to me? 
57.    What are some good things others have done for me that go beyond the call of duty or what’s required of them? 
58.    What are some life circumstances (beyond my control) that have contributed to my well-being? 
59.    In what ways are nature (e.g., the sunset) and aesthetics (e.g., music and art) a gift to me?
60.    How has God (or a divine power) conferred blessings on me? [If you believe in God or a divine power.] 
61.    What is my superpower? How do I benefit from this superpower? [A superpower is an ability you naturally have, for which you didn’t have to work hard to cultivate, e.g., ability to tolerate spicy food, immunity to mosquitoes, ability to talk to strangers effortlessly.]


Interpersonal Gratitude 
62.    Who has been a blessing to my life?
63.    Who inspires me and why?
64.    Who puts a smile on my face?
65.    Who makes me laugh?
66.    Who do I enjoy hanging out with?
67.    With whom did I have a pleasant interaction at work this week?
68.    Who appreciates me and doesn’t take me granted?
69.    Who makes me feel like I truly matter? 
70.    What did someone specifically do to help me?
71.    Who did something for me out of the kindness of their heart and not because they had to?
72.    What do I appreciate what the actions someone took to help me?
73.    What do I admire about the character or attitude of someone who has helped me?
74.    Who put in a lot of effort to help me?
75.    Who has done something unusually good for me (something that few people would typically do)?
76.    Who has had a long-term positive impact on my life, including the opportunities I’ve been given as well as my identity, beliefs, and behaviors?
77.    Who sacrificed time or resources to help me?
78.    What story or example is a good illustration of the good that someone has done for me?  
79.    Who has given me good advice?
80.    Who has been a source of strength in my life?
81.    Who has been a source of emotional support to me? 
82.    Who encouraged me to dream bigger and aim higher? 
83.    Who has been a source of practical help in my life?
84.    Who recently took the initiative to talk to me or help me?
85.    Who defended me or spoke out on my behalf?
86.    With whom did I have an enjoyable conversation this week?
87.    Who told me I’ve made a positive difference in their lives?
88.    In what ways do my family members make my life easier?
89.    In what ways do my family members enrich my life?
90.    How have my family members made me a better person?
91.    What do I appreciate most about my partner/spouse?
92.    How does my partner/spouse make my life easier?
93.    How would my life be different if I had not met my partner/spouse?  
94.    Who is my favorite relative and why? 
95.    Which of my teachers contributed positively to my life?
96.    Who has mentored me and how have I benefited from their mentoring?
97.    Which colleague(s) do I like and why? 
98.    Which colleague(s) appreciates my work?
99.    In what ways do my colleagues make my life easier?
100.    What do I appreciate about each of my friends?
101.    How do my friends make me a better human being?  


Redemptive Gratitude 
Think about a stressful or difficult experience in your life. What are some positive outcomes arising from this stressful experience? Consider the following prompts.
102.    In what ways is my life better?  How have I experienced physical, emotional, and/or spiritual healing?
103.    In what ways am I more appreciative of life because of this stressful experience?
104.    How have I become more resilient because of this stressful experience?
105.    How have I grown as a person or what character strengths did I develop as a result of this stressful experience?
106.    What positive insights did I gain about life through this stressful experience? 
107.    In what ways am I more spiritual because of this stressful experience?
108.    In what ways did I avert a potentially disastrous or deadly outcome? 
109.    How did my priorities change so that I now focus on what truly matters? 
110.    How has this stressful experience made more compassionate toward others? 
111.    In what ways am I more engaged in efforts to help others as a result of my experience of suffering? 
112.    In what ways did this stressful experience result in new opportunities for me (i.e., when a door closed, a new window opened)? 
113.    Who supported me during this stressful experience?
114.    Whom did I become closer to because of this stressful experience?


Macro Gratitude 
115.    What are the top 3 events, experiences or things in my entire life that tells me why I’m lucky or blessed.
116.    [Think about a turning point in your life]. How did this turning point changed my life for the better? 
117.    What is a positive event or experience in my life that I’ll never forget?  
118.    What aspect of my past has prepared me well to handle my current or future challenges?
119.    What is a major crisis that has resulted in positive outcomes in my life?
120.    Which childhood event in my life changed my life for the better?
121.    Which event during my adolescence changed my life for the better?
122.    Who has had the most positive influence on my life?
123.    Who has been a long-term source of support to me? 
124.    What have been the most important positive insights I’ve gained about my life, others, or the world?
125.    In what ways have I been given a second chance in life? 
126.    What areas of my life have improved, as compared to the past?

127.    Compared to the past, how I have grown as a person, and who contributed to my growth?  

 

Culture
Here, “culture” and “cultural group” is broadly defined as any group you belong to that has shared values, beliefs, practices, and traditions. 
128.    Which aspects of my culture has made me a better or stronger person?
129.    In what ways have my culture been a source of strength for me?
130.    Who in my cultural group do I admire or is a role model

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