The topic of gratitude is one of my favorites. If a secret recipe for success exists, gratitude could well be the main ingredient. What makes gratitude so powerful and can it increase your happiness? This blog will explore the wonders of a simple practice called gratitude.
Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation for something. Being thankful and appreciative are the what makes gratitude. In all three major religions (Islam, Jewish, and Christian), gratitude comes up and is part of the ideology. The point being, this is nothing new to humanity, the idea of practicing gratitude has been around a long time.
The idea of gratitude has become a topic of study in modern psychology and the research is pointing to the benefits. What are the benefits to be grateful?
Happierhuman.com’s blog lists out 31 benefits to gratitude, http://happierhuman.com/benefits-of-gratitude/. , the benefits touch on all aspects of life from health, work, social, productivity, emotions, and personality. Their top three benefits say it makes us happier, people will like us more, and it makes us healthier. Happier, healthier, and more likeable- would you like that in your life?
A recent study tracked the neuroscience of practicing gratitude and found it effected the brain. It “suggests that the more practice you give your brain at feeling and expressing gratitude, the more it adapts to this mindset — you could even think of your brain as having a sort of gratitude ‘muscle’ that can be exercised and strengthened… the more of an effort you make to feel gratitude one day, the more the feeling will come to you spontaneously in the future.” https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/the-amazing-way-gratitude-rewires-your-brain-for-happiness.html
If you want to be happier try gratitude. It even shows up in the practice of the law of attraction. The idea being what you are grateful for will increase in your life.
What does it take to practice gratitude? A little bit of time, and maybe a pencil and paper. Let’s be clear on something, this is not a cure all or a guarantee to increase your happiness. Many people through the ages have found practicing gratitude to be a benefit. We live in a trial and error universe. Each person is different and what may work for many may not work for you.
If you are willing to practice gratitude, a good starting point is to find a few minutes preferably in the morning and/or late evening in a quiet place. You want to take the time and reflect on the things you are thankful for. It can be as simple as listing 3 things or you can list 10 things or more. It is your practice, do how it feels right for you.
My recommendation is to start with simple things. No matter what is going on in your life, goods things are also happening. Your heart is beating, maybe the sun is shining, a friend may have called out of the blue. It can be that simple. I am grateful for the air I breathe. It allows me to live. I think this quote by Robert Brault sums it up perfectly. “Enjoy the simple things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”
Lifehack.org provides 40 suggestions to practice gratitude at their blog, https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/40-simple-ways-practice-gratitude.html
In the end you may find that gratitude is worth the effort. We all need to tools to get through life. Practicing gratitude is a great tool to have in your life arsenal. I have a greater feeling of well being after I practice gratitude. I even find relief with the people I am upset with. I have a feeling of calmness and acceptance. Try gratitiude for the benefits. Another tool to increase your well being.
