One of the most powerful things that will shift your perception about life is the habit of gratitude. When you dwell in negative thoughts it is like you are in a fog of grey, rainy clouds all the time. Wherever you look, you see more clouds, they are becoming darker and darker … Like negativity would multiply, and it actually does.
Cultivating a habit of gratitude actually brings you to the other spectrum, the opposite spectrum of these emotions. It allows you to slowly turn away from negativity and to look for positive in your life. It starts as a small beacon of sunshine that is coming through the dark grey clouds.
What is gratitude
Gratitude is an emotion expressing appreciation for everything you have in your life. It is not only expressing our thanks to someone, it starts with noticing all the good things you have in your life. And when you are being grateful for them on a daily basis it becomes something deeper, an inner state of being, inner knowing that comes from within. It is the feeling that encompasses all of our body and being. It is actually really powerful as studies have shown.
How to practice gratitude
Well, the easiest way is, to count your blessings. Take a moment to bring your attention from all the things that are wrong, or not okay in your life, and focus your attention on the things that you like, you are satisfied with. Appreciate them, the truth is that it could be worse right?
Write them down, go through the list in your mind before bed. Soon you will start to notice these small good things in your life through the day, they were there all along. Be grateful for them. It will have a compound effect for sure.
What is the power of gratitude
You can deliberately cultivate gratitude by counting the blessings, writing letters of thanks, etc. This proactive acknowledgment can increase well-being, health, and happiness. Studies show, that being grateful and expressing it daily is associated with increased energy, optimism, and empathy. You are actually generating positivity all around you. Feeling grateful that life rewards you and focusing on the good in your life boosts your optimism, your faith in a better tomorrow, and your outlook on the future. You are turning your ship from the cold, rainy, and cloudy weather to the sunnier forecast. It actually changes your inner landscape a lot, from the feeling of coldness and harshness to the feeling of warmth, coziness, and good vibes. Don’t you want to feel cozy inside?
Tools to bring gratitude to your life
Practicing gratitude means paying attention to what we are thankful for. Ways to practice gratitude are listed below:
- Counting your blessings This one is obvious, you can start with It’s good to be alive, by being grateful for each day in the morning.
- Writing letters of thanks You can write a letter of thanks to your mom or your dad, for everything they gave you, that was positive. Or you can write a letter to someone else, even yourself!
- A journal For daily practice you can have a special journal for gratitude or a section in your journal, so you can write down every little good thing that happened that day. This will keep your focus on gratitude.
- Take 5 minutes before bed Before you go to sleep take 5 minutes for yourself and just go through the 5 things that you are grateful that day. You will fall asleep with the feeling of appreciation, gratefulness, calmness, and with a notion that you are cared for.
Start making small changes towards your better life today. Even though practicing gratitude does not expect to be paid back, it will actually pay you back more than you think. I hope this is the beginning of your journey towards a happier and more content life.
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