Gratitude is the ‘quality of being thankful’ or showing appreciation for a kindness. As children we are brought up to say ‘thank you’ when we receive something.
But Gratitude is much more than a simple thank you. It is actually a very powerful emotion that helps build happiness and great health.
Showing gratitude or practising the art of gratitude means we are acknowledging the goodness in our lives. It is a much deeper emotion than just saying a simple ‘thanks’ and because it is such a deep emotion, according to psychologists, it produces longer lasting positivity.
Practising Gratitude is an art because the more we do it, the better we become at recognising the good in our lives. When we start seeing the abundance in our lives, we are in fact, saying Yes to life, that life is worth living and is rich in all aspects.
One way of doing this is by thinking of all the things that you are grateful for, every night before you go to sleep and every morning when you wake up. You can even write it down. Examples may include, giving thanks for your warm bed, a good night’s sleep, the breakfast or food on your table, the clean water you have to drink, the sun shining outside, the birdsong in your garden, the love of your family and friends.
Each day there is something to be thankful for. It may sound very simple but by showing gratitude for all the small things in your life, you are helping your body to release ‘feel good’ hormones such as oxytocin, and neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. These substances are hugely beneficial in reducing stress and depression and improving the quality of your sleep.
Gratitude has also been shown to increase blood flow and activity in the hypothalamus, the ‘master gland’ of our brain that controls the release of hormones, our metabolism and sleep cycles. The release of cortisone and Stress levels are reduced and our immune system is strengthened as a result.
As positivity increases, our attitudes change and our awareness of all that is good in our lives is highlighted. Physical ailments such as aches and pains are reduced and anxiety levels decrease.
This is not to say that we won’t have bad days or difficult days or even really sad days, but if we try and see something positive in every situation, our whole perspective changes.
When we show gratitude or appreciation for our lives, we are able to feel true joy and contentment. According to the Law of Attraction, what we focus on grows, so the more we show gratitude for the things in our lives, the more we will have to be grateful for and the more abundance we will attract.
As well as giving thanks for what you already have, each morning give thanks for what the day will bring.
According to Pam Grout in her book, ‘Thank and Grow Rich’, if you think ahead of all the things you have to do and give thanks for everything turning out to your advantage, it’s amazing what will unfold. Give thanks for arriving on time to your appointments with no traffic to hold you up, give thanks for the work you will do with ease and grace, give thanks for the sunshine when you are heading out on a walk and that the rain will hold off, give thanks that the perceived difficult appointment will go off smoothly.
If you show gratitude ahead before things have even happened, it’s amazing how often, they fall into place exactly how you envisaged they would.
The best thing is that Gratitude isn’t hard. Most of us have a roof over our heads, regular meals, an income, people that love us, we wake up each day and the sun still shines. Even amongst the most difficult situations we can find some joy or some beauty.
So why not give it a try? Before you go to sleep, think of 3 things to be grateful for. When you wake up, give thanks for 3 things that will unfold during the day. It’s easy and only takes a minute. Write it down in a journal if you like.
You will be surprised at how much happier you will feel and how more abundant your life will be.
With warmest wishes,
Judy xxx
References: www.dictionary.com, www.positivepsychologyprogram.com, www.psychologytoday.com, www.jackcanfield.com. Photo: Top Photo by Guilia Bertelli on Unsplash. Bottom Photo by Ryan Moreno on Unsplash, ‘Thank and Grow Rich’ by Pam Grout.