3 Transformative Gratitude Games

The creative power of gratitude is, in my experience, truly extraordinary.

We can harness the creative power of gratitude in many, many ways.

Sometimes, though, the best way to harness the creative power of gratitude — or other forces and states of being, for that matter — is through play.

Playing games, more specifically, that let you explore new ways of seeing and being in fun, unique ways.

My hope is that you will enjoy playing these games, while also appreciating the treasures they bring forth.

The Power Of Gratitude

Gratitude is a creative force.

A creative force that can reshape your mood, your attitude, your mindset, and your life.

Gratitude is a creative force, and it is also a choice.

By making the choice to be grateful — to appreciate — you allow yourself to see and appreciate the blessings, treasures, and gifts that are all around you.

The mere act of recognizing what surrounds you — and what is possible — can, in my experience, make all of the difference.

Recognition leads to action.

Appreciation is, of course, one action, in and of itself.

A single action that, in my experience, brings forth greater feelings of bliss, a strong sense of abundance, and a novel way of seeing that allows for greater receptivity towards the wonders all around us.

But, recognition, coupled with appreciation, can bring forth new opportunities, new paths, and new experiences.

New opportunities, new paths, and new experiences that can bring forth greater abundance, beauty, health, love, bliss, and, perhaps above all, a truly wonderful life.

All with ease and playfulness.

Gratitude Games

As the title of this essay would imply, the remainder of this essay is focused on three gratitude games.

None of these are “methods”, “processes”, or “tools”.

Rather, these are three simple, fun games you can play to explore feelings of gratitude and appreciation.

Games are fun.

Games encourage play, joy, and lightheartedness.

You can take these games as seriously as you want.

But, I recommend taking them lightly, and seeing where they take you.

If you would like to change any of the rules, feel free to do so.

Just remember to be receptive, and have fun!

Gratitude Game 01: Thematic Gratitude

Let’s call this game “Thematic Gratitude”.

A lofty name for a game that, in the end, really isn’t very lofty at all.

To play “Thematic Gratitude” — feel free to come up with a better title — think of a theme or component of your life/experience.

A particular place, perhaps. Or, a person. Even a work of art, from any medium, that resonated with you, is sufficient.

Really, the “theme” can be anything at all.

Right after you find your theme, take a moment to find ten things, all of which relate and pertain to your theme, you are grateful for.

Everytime you place this game — correction, everytime I play this game; your experience may differ — you will find treasures and gifts, contained within familiar themes and components of your life, that were, prior to playing, invisible to you.

The experience of playing this game can — and, for me, has — lead to a new attitude.

A new attitude that embraces creative possibilities, while being receptive to the neverending treasures all around us, often within the familiar and mundane.

Playing the game consistently cements this particular attitude as a persistent way of being and experiencing your world and yourself.

My belief is that, if you are receptive and aware of the infinite blessings all around you, you will feel lighter, be happier, experience greater levels of joy, move towards the goals and intentions that truly matter, while also living a life that is truly in-line with your deepest wishes.

Sure, that’s pretty bold. But, in my experience, this is true, and my playing the game consistently only continues to cement this particular notion as a truth.

Please, try the game, and let it take you somewhere special.

Gratitude Game 02: A Special Someone

No matter who you are, you will experience a low point in your life.

A low point in your life that forces you to question your worth as a being, while also forcing you to question your choices and assumptions.

Sometimes, these low points can serve as moments of enormous productivity.

Throughout my — admittedly, quite short — life, the few notable low points lead to new paths that ended up being far more fruitful than the paths being walked prior to the low point.

But, sometimes, these low points are periods of shame, regret, anger, and waste.

No matter what anyone says, you are valuable and you matter.

One of the best ways to move from the states that encompass a low point to the states that encompass a much higher point is, in my experience, to remember who you are.

Or, more specifically, to let someone else remember who you are.

To play “A Special Someone”, take a moment to think of someone special.

A close friend, perhaps, or a partner.

So long as the person you choose is special to you — and, presumably, you to them — you can choose them.

Right after choosing your special person, take a moment to think of ten qualities, actions, or traits — among many other possibilities — that you know or believe this person appreciates about you.

You may not know, with certainty, what your special someone appreciates.

But, you can imagine that you are them and, for a brief moment, see yourself through their eyes, and recognize the gifts that you bring.

Remember, you are valuable, in ways beyond your awareness, and you matter.

Gratitude Game 03: The Walking Game

The name of this gratitude game says it all.

To play the “Walking Game”, you will need to go on a walk.

Right after you begin your walk, let yourself pay attention to the familiar, the mundane, and, if present, the unfamiliar.

Let yourself appreciate all that you see and experience.

Let yourself appreciate the familiar, and all that’s contained within the familiar.

Let yourself appreciate the mundane, and all that’s contained within the mundane.

Let yourself appreciate the unfamiliar, and all that’s contained within the unfamiliar.

No matter what you see, take a moment to appreciate, and to recognize the treasures and gifts contained within the focal point of your recognition.

Taking the time to appreciate everything you see and experience would, of course, be a difficult — not to mention unending — task.

To play this game, you won’t need to do that.

Rather, you can simply walk, let your gaze fall where it will, take a moment to appreciate, and repeat throughout the entirety of your walk,

Everytime you play this game, you embrace a new attitude.

A new attitude that, within its depths and expanses, contains a new way of experiencing the world.

A way of experiencing the world that acknowledges the true beauty — abundance, love, blessings, gifts, treasures; and so on and so on, infinitely and endlessly — present within every moment of our lives.

Conclusion

Thank you so much for reading this essay!

My hope is that you found the concepts and ideas useful, while also being inspired to play the three games and see where they take you.

As always, if you want to reach me, for any reason at all, you can do so at “maxwellcakin@gmail.com”.

Best wishes, and have a lovely day!