Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more.
_ Melody Beattle.
It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.
It makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.
When we take time to notice and reflect upon things we are thankful for. We experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, express more compassion and kindness.
What is mean by gratitude?
Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives.
We should always try to express our gratitude towards the things we are grateful for in our life. It may be relations, employees, parents, siblings, friends, and god.
For different individuals form of expressing gratitude can be varied. Some individuals express their gratitude by writing a letter to their beloved ones. Others prefer to appreciate people publically. Some show their gratitude by just saying ‘thank you’. Also, some individual doesn’t even bother to express their gratitude.
Why should we express gratitude?
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.
The benefits of practicing gratitude are nearly endless. For a moment just think, If you will appreciate your mother for small things she does for you, how glad she would be. Just say to her, “ Thank you, mom.” “ Today food is tasting amazing.” and see your mother will have a broad smile and satisfaction on her face. Here, appreciation is one way of expressing gratitude.
Gratitude makes us appreciate the value of things, and when we value the things we can extract all benefits of it.
Below are the benefits of practicing gratitude.
As said benefits of practicing gratitude are endless but here is a list of few in emotional, physical, and social aspects.
Emotional benefits.
- Increased happiness.
- Positive mood.
- More satisfaction in life.
- More alert, alive and awake.
- Strengthens relationships.
- Less materialistic.
- Greater resiliency.
Physical benefits.
- Better sleep.
- Stronger immune system.
- Lower levels of cellular inflammation.
Social benefits.
Gratitude is a social emotion.
- More helpful, generous, and compassionate.
- More forgiving.
- Feel less lonely and isolated.
- More outgoing.
- Increases pro-social behavior.
In what ways gratitude can change a person.
The way to develop the best that is in a person is by appreciation and encouragement.
Practicing gratitude daily results in the reduction of aggression and enhances empathy in a person. Also, it keeps us away from negative thoughts and distressing memories.
The best way to practice gratitude is – Gratitude journalism.
Gratitude journalism is a type of journalism in which we can write things we are grateful for in our life. They may be any possession and prosperity in life.
These are some tips to follow while starting a gratitude journal.
1. Write consistently.
Fill up your gratitude journal every day. You may write in the morning or at night. It can be either the first thing to do while starting a day or last thing while ending the day. Time doesn’t matter what matters is consistency.
2. Write the things which you are grateful for at this moment.
Figure out the things for which you are grateful in that specific day. In short, Be specific.
3. Remember the little things.
Not everything in the world needs to be comprehensive, in an order to be grateful. You can appreciate and thanks for little acts of kindness and empathy.
Gratitude allows the celebration of the present.
“There is no time like the present.” and for sure there are many undeniable reasons to celebrate the present, the moment in which we are living.
There is no past,
Nor there is a future,
There is the only now- the present moment,
So, just enjoy the present. Enjoy as many sunrises and sunsets you can.
Gratitude blocks toxic emotions.
The individuals who practice gratitude are always optimistic and grateful in life. They don’t possess negative emotions like envy, resentment, regret, and depression.
This optimistic attitude is something that leads individuals on the path of glorious life. This attitude not only builds its outer personality but also glorifies its inner soul. Above given all emotional benefits like satisfaction, happiness, positivity is the results of this optimistic attitude.
Gratitude strengthens social ties and self-worth.
Gratitude originates from the two stages of information processing, (1) affirmation to the goodness of things in the surrounding. (2) The recognition of the source where the goodness lies.
The recognition of goodness and affirmation of that good yields the best social ties in our social life. And the main aspect comes there when we receive back all the gratitude and appreciation back in our life. Because; you know whatever we deliver to the universe, we will receive it back whether good or bad. When goodness received back tells us aloud our self-worth.
Finally
Be grateful for the possessions and prosperities you hold in your life. Practice gratitude.
Expose more to nature, be kind to all, and enjoy each moment of life, choose to be happy. Life is too short for holding grudges. Be the source of happiness and prosperity.
Live and let live.