The practice of gratitude as a tool for happiness has been in the mainstream for years. Long term studies support gratitude’s effectiveness, suggesting that a positive, appreciative attitude contributes to greater success in work, health, relationships, sports and business as well as a higher sense of self, well-being and a faster rate of recovery from surgery.
But while we may acknowledge gratitude’s many benefits, it still can be difficult to sustain. So many of us are trained to notice what is broken, undone or lacking in our lives. And for gratitude to meet its full healing potential in our lives, it needs to become more than just a thanksgiving word. We have to learn a new way of looking at things; a new habit. And that can take some time.
That is why practicing gratitude makes so much sense. When we practice giving thanks for all we have instead of complaining about what we lack we give ourselves the chance to see all of life as an opportunity and a blessing. Remember that gratitude isn’t a blindly optimistic approach in which the bad things in life are ignored. It is more a matter of where we put our focus and attention.
Pain and injustice exist in this world, but when we focus on the gifts of life, we gain a feeling of well-being. Gratitude balances us and gives us hope. There are many things to be grateful for: the earth; our legs that work, friends, food, fresh air; a warm jacket; the breeze and the sun, the ability to read, our health. What is on your list?
Here are some ways to practice gratitude:
- Keep a gratitude journal in which you list things for you are thankful. You can make it daily weekly or monthly. Greater frequency may be better for creating a new habit, but just keep that journal what you can see it and it will remind you to think in a grateful way.
- Make a gratitude collage by drawing or pasting pictures of the beings and things you love and are thankful for.
- Practice gratitude around the dinner table or make it part of your night time routine.
- Make a game of finding hidden blessings in all challenging situations
- When you feel like complaining, make a gratitude list instead. You may be amazed by how much better you feel.
Notice how gratitude is impacting your life. Write about it, sing about it, express thanks for gratitude.
As you practice gratitude an inner shift begins to occur, and you may be delighted to discover how content and hopeful you are feeling. That sense of fulfillment is gratitude at work.
Soul Love
Rebecca-Lee