The Active Power of Gratitude

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, greater health, peak performance in sports and business, a higher sense of well-being, and a faster rate of recovery from surgery.

The transformative power of gratitude cannot be underestimated, it can be likened to the blossoming of a desert  crocus just after rainfall. Gratitude creates a platform to express love unconsciously and yet effectively; this expression bears the mark of the greatest form of appreciation. It generates a two edged effect of sweetness and healing to the soul.

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’s why practising 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 whitewashed or ignored. It’s 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: colourful autumn leaves, legs that work, friends who listen and really hear, chocolate, fresh eggs, warm jackets, tomatoes, the ability to read, roses, our health, butterflies. What’s on your list?

Some Ways to Practice Gratitude

§  Keep a gratitude journal in which you list things for which you are thankful. You can make daily, weekly or monthly lists. Greater frequency may be better for creating a new habit, but just keeping that journal where you can see it will remind you to think in a grateful way.

§  Make a gratitude collection by drawing or pasting pictures. A therapy in a way as you spend time with the picture you are developing, pasting them gives a sigh of fulfilment and satisfaction

§  Make up your mind once you wake up to say thank you; appreciate the life you have, from your first breath at dawn until you take your last conscious breath before drifting to dreamland.

§  Practice gratitude around the dinner table or make it part of your nighttime routine. This has to be conscious and consistent for continuity.

§  Make a game of finding the hidden blessing in a challenging situation; this is a proactive way of living a life of gratitude.

§  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, and express thanks for gratitude. Let gratitude be a lifestyle rather than a routine that later becomes monotonous and then gradually fades out.

As you practice, an inner shift begins to occur, and you may be delighted to discover how content and hopeful you are feeling. That sense of fulfilment is gratitude at work. Spend time exploring ways you can express gratitude in its different forms, enjoy and celebrate the fulfilment it brings. Above all, let it be expressed plainly and without reservation.

What are your thoughts on gratitude? What will you like to share? Let's hear your perspective.