The Power of Gratitude
Practicing Thanksgiving
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”
- Oprah Winfrey
The Power of Gratitude
Chasing Influence: Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life
Although the world can feel dark and uncertain, especially with the constant barrage of negative news, there are many reasons to give thanks. Amidst all the chaos, there is a simple yet powerful way to lift our spirits, practicing gratitude. It’s a choice we can all make.
The word “gratitude” comes from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness. It's about appreciating what we have instead of always longing for something more. Gratitude helps us shift our focus from what we lack to what we already possess. After all, as President Theodore Roosevelt believed, "Comparison is the thief of joy."
Expressing gratitude has many benefits. Research shows that grateful people experience higher levels of positive emotions like joy, love, and optimism. They also tend to cope more effectively with stress, show increased resilience in the face of trauma, recover more quickly from illness, and enjoy better physical health. *
But how can we cultivate gratitude in our lives this week? Here are some tips from Harvard Medical School:
Write a thank-you note. Taking the time to express appreciation to someone else can not only make them feel good but also boost our happiness levels. Make it a habit to send at least one gratitude letter a month, and maybe even write one to yourself once in a while.
Thank someone mentally. Even if you don't have time to write a physical note, simply thinking about someone who has done something nice for you and mentally thanking them can positively impact you.
Keep a gratitude journal. Writing down the things you're thankful for each day can help you cultivate a mindset of gratitude. Share your thoughts with a loved one, or keep it private, but make it a daily habit.
Count your blessings. Set aside time each week to reflect on what went right or what you're grateful for. Try to be specific and focus on the sensations you felt when something good happened to you.
Meditate. Mindfulness meditation is a powerful tool for cultivating gratitude. Focus on the present moment without judgment, and try to direct your thoughts toward things you're grateful for, like the warmth of the sun or a pleasant sound.
Even amid fear and uncertainty, there is always something to be grateful for. Commit to practicing at least one specific act of gratitude each day this week. By doing so, you will begin to train your brain to focus on the positive, creating a more fulfilling and satisfying life!
"Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. 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."
- Melody Beattie
Connecting this quote to the story. By practicing gratitude, we can shift our perspective from one of lack and chaos to one of acceptance and order. Gratitude helps us appreciate what we have instead of constantly searching for something more. The quote shows the importance of gratitude and how it can help us lead a more fulfilling life.
Chasing Influence tip: Gratitude may be the most powerful tool a leader can ever use. It boosts morale, reduces stress, and inspires loyalty.
[1] * Emmons, R. A. (2013). Gratitude Works! A 21-Day Program for Creating Emotional Prosperity. United Kingdom: Wiley.
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©Troy Urdahl, 2024