The Gift of Gratitude
In the United States, Thanksgiving is here. This is a time where folks take stock of what they have within their lives. We make extravagant meals utilizing the money and resources that we have accumulated throughout the year. We spend time with loved ones who remind us that we have support in our lives. Many people enjoy this time for many reasons. For some, it is the break from work that helps us breathe. For others it may be the holiday food that we consume once or twice per year, cooked with love. The reason why we are able to see all of these moments as a gift is due to this idea of gratitude.
Gratitude is a beautiful gift that can teach us to be kinder to ourselves, and one another. Some folks may misconstrued gratitude as being a cover for the negative behavior of others, and thus struggle with engaging with that feeling. But, what if we were to just decided that we would take this spiriting of Giving Thanks into our daily lives? The potential impact might be:
Better immune system-the impact of gratitude moves beyond our mental health-it also benefits our physical health. An overall sense of wellbeing can serve as a protective factor against stress that often impacts our immune system
Improved mental health. Gratitude reminds us that there is more to life than our problems. When we look at life as a bunch of problems with very little positive things, we can send ourselves into feelings of despair which can negatively impact our mental health. Practicing gratitude helps us practice seeing the world from various perspectives.
Improved Relationships. Similar to point two, showing gratitude for others can help them feel appreciated, and can help you see others (and perhaps others see you) in a more positive regard. It also creates a space to talk about the positive aspects of a relationship, while easing the conversation about aspects of a relationship that may need to be worked on.
Gratitude is not designed to make us deny the issues in our world. In life there is space for both an appreciation of what you have and an acknowledgement of what you may have lost, or never had. Gratitude reminds us that there is still good in this world, and can motivate us to change those things that we do not like about our lives. Gratitude is a supplement to the soul, allowing us to move beyond our current circumstances. The practice of gratitude does not need to be long or complicated, but it is helpful if it is consistent. Try to write down one or two things each day that you are grateful for and note any changes that you see with your thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. Choose a few people to express gratitude for and pay attention to their response. Many people find that once they get in the habit of the practice, they find more things to be grateful for and feel less overwhelmed by life’s challenges. Try it and see if this is one supplement that can go beyond the holidays.
Grateful for you,
Chante’