Most people of faith know that gratitude is an essential part of a healthy spiritual life. It has many benefits, including a generally positive outlook as well as practical boosts to physical health. If you keep a gratitude journal, you know how helpful this simple practice can be.

What do you do when the magic wears off, though? First, recognize that this is a normal experience. Everyone goes through periods of time when the rituals that usually bring comfort and balance don't seem as effective, so don't be too hard on yourself when it happens to you. Second, you can try new ways to cultivate gratitude and get yourself back on track. 

Try a New Method of Expression

Routine can be soothing, but it can also grow tiresome after a while. Even habits that are helpful in the beginning can start to seem more like something to cross off the to-do list rather than a life-giving ritual. Sometimes all it takes to refresh your practice is a little variety. If making a list of five things you're grateful for every night is starting to wear thin, you may just need to find some different ways to express your thanks:

• Write a letter to someone who has blessed your life. It doesn't have to be someone you know personally or are still in contact with. Even if you don't end up sending the letter, just the act of writing it can have a positive effect.
• Walk around your home. In each room, find one thing that reminds you of someone or something you love. Focus on those feelings for a minute or two before moving to the next space.
• Invite others to respond. If you have a blog or a social media account, consider posting your daily list online sometimes. Then ask other people to list the things they're grateful for. This pay-it-forward approach not only helps you but also encourages others to experience some of the positive outcomes of gratitude in their lives.

Home In on Specific Areas

Another reason a daily gratitude practice can grow stale is that you find yourself listing the same things every time. This is a telltale sign that you are in a rut. Of course, it doesn't mean that you're any less happy that your family is healthy but simply that the newness of your thankfulness has worn off a little.

Assign a new focus to each day. For example, on Monday, think about your job and everything you like about it. Then on Tuesday, you can list the aspects of your church family that lift you up. Continue throughout the week in this manner, and pay attention to how much it enlivens your gratitude practice.

Be More Specific

Another benefit to having a different topic every day is that it almost forces you to be more precise. For instance, if all you're thinking about is your health one evening, you have the space to be specific about the many wonders of the way your body works. Did you do something particularly strenuous that day, leaving you with that satisfying sense of tiredness that sometimes comes with physical labor? Celebrate your success as you stretch your muscles before bed. You may be surprised how encouraging it is to focus on small details that you otherwise may have disregarded or forgotten.

A spiritual practice is only as good as its fruits. If you feel your daily gratitude rituals are growing stale, you can take steps to energize them. Rather than quitting when you get frustrated, find a new way to express your thanks or adopt an alternate approach.