Gratitude – the quality of being thankful – is something we can never express too much of. It is my belief that exercising the emotion of gratitude gives life to a loving more abundant existence. Cicero once said,
“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others.”
We all experience negative thoughts and feelings but how we choose to deal with them is key. While it’s important to accept and process negative emotions, difficult feelings that are left unmanaged can induce chronic stress, affect decision-making and hinder our path to progress.
In the recent few years there has been a growing interest regarding PPIs (Positive Psychological Interventions) with more scientific research conducted to understand whether gratitude exercises can improve mental health. A study carried out by Wong and colleagues discovered that participants who were assigned to psychotherapy plus gratitude writing (expressing thoughts and feelings of what they are most grateful for) reported better overall well-being weeks after the conclusion of the writing intervention.
While there is still a need for more research, scientific evidence supports that greater expressions of gratitude help magnify feelings of positivity, promote adaptive coping in moments of adversity and reduce anxiety.
Activity:
Take a few minutes of your day to create a gratitude list. Try not to set yourself a specific number of things to be grateful for because your list will undoubtedly vary in size from one day to the next. Try to be specific with details of what you are grateful for as this creates a stronger sense of appreciation for the present moment and enables you to heighten the connection with the world around you. This activity may take a little longer at first, but once you begin focusing on the positive aspects of the day, it will become second nature to write abundantly about things that awaken your feelings of gratitude.
The consistent practice of gratitude will shift your perspective and enhance your receptivity to life’s blessings. “I’m grateful for the sun shining, I’m grateful for my loving family, I’m grateful for this delicious breakfast, I’m grateful for the unconditional love my pet gives me.” Let your feelings of gratitude ignite your passion for this day and everyday.
