What would happen if we were thankful all the time? What would happen if we were consistently aware of our blessings? What would happen if we started practicing gratitude on a daily basis?
There is a Proverb that says: “Gratitude can…turn routine jobs into joy and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”
What would your life look like if you spent more time in gratitude?
WHAT IS GRATITUDE?
So what exactly is gratitude? It’s more than just saying “thank you,” for starters. From an article on positivitypschology.com, gratitude is described as “a positive emotion that serves a biological purpose…it is a deeper appreciation for someone (or something) that produces longer lasting positivity.”
Another definition from Harvard Medical School:
[Gratitude is] a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives … As a result, gratitude also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals–whether to other people, nature, or a higher power.
Harvard Medical School
MY EXPERIENCE WITH GRATITUDE
I can honestly say that I went years without being grateful for much – a self-centered child who grew into a self-centered adult. I often times felt both entitled and unworthy – an interesting mix of a human that some of my friends refer to as “an egomaniac with an inferiority complex.” If there is a better description of my old self, I haven’t heard it.
As a kid, I know I was taught to say thank you when someone gave me a gift, did something for me, and prepared or took us out to dinner. I did those things. But I don’t know that I truly ever felt grateful, instead just going through the motions of what I considered good manners without any real feelings attached to it. And beyond that, I don’t feel like I ever expressed gratitude to the Universe for the many, many blessings in my life. Instead I took it all for granted.
When I got sober thirteen years ago, it was suggested to me that I start looking at the things I was grateful for. I would often make small gratitude lists, listing simple things like my house or my job or coffee. They were very. basic. lists. It was interesting getting into the practice at first, because even though I knew I likely had things to be grateful for, it felt awkward to make the list. Having never practiced gratitude on a regular basis, I felt uncomfortable, like someone was going to grade my paper or judge what I wrote down.
It was amazing how much gratitude began to transform my life. I have learned over the years that it is hard to be in fear and be grateful. Similarly, it is hard to be angry and grateful. I have found there is no better time to practice gratitude than when I am feeling anything but grateful. It changes my attitude, and it changes me.
Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
GRATITUDE IN PRACTICE
Practicing gratitude has become somewhat the norm for me. Almost every morning, I try to write down five things I am grateful. I try to be specific in my lists saying, for example, that I am grateful for my children’s laughter or the way my children play with each other instead of just saying I am grateful for my children in general. Don’t get me wrong – I am grateful for my children in general.
But if I can get specific, it helps me to look for little things to be grateful for throughout the day, so that when I go to make my list the following morning, it is easier to recall what lit up my heart the day before. It also helps me celebrate the little things in life, because, as Kurt Vonnegut said, “Enjoy the little things in life because one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.”
I have used the practice of gratitude with my children as well. As with most parents, I have time and time again reminded my children to say “thank you” when someone does something for them or gives them something. There is no greater feeling than hearing them thank someone without me prompting them to, their little voices chirping out their gratitude. When they are particularly upset about something, anger fuming from their little bodies, I often times will ask them to tell me three things they are grateful for in an attempt to redirect their thoughts to something more positive. They may not instantly be “happy,” but it helps soften their anger and refocuses their attention on someone else.
Are you currently practicing gratitude? Here are some of the benefits of gratitude practice:
- Enhanced Well-being
- Deeper Relationships
- Improved Optimism
- Increased Happiness
- Stronger Self-Control
- Better Physical and Mental Health
- An Overall a Better Life
- Stronger Athleticism
- Stronger Neurologically-Based Morality
Source: https://positivepsychology.com/gratitude-appreciation/
Be thankful for what you have, you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never ever have enough.
Oprah Winfrey
In what ways do you practice gratitude? And if you don’t currently practice gratitude, wow would your life be improved if you were more grateful? I would love to hear from you in the comments.
Until next time,
Jeri Austin
A Growth Mindset 
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