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“Even after all this time, the Sun never said to the Earth, you owe me; see what happens with a love like that—it lights up the whole sky.” – Hafiz
Abundance, real love, and generosity are all related. Abundance comes from our ability to give because, in the grand scheme of things, generous giving and gracious receiving are of the same virtue.
What Is Gratitude?
Gratitude is a willingness to see gifts in everything, and it can be very powerful. The word “grateful” originates from the Old English term þancian, meaning “to think or remember with gratitude.” It is derived from the Proto-Germanic roots thangkjan and Proto-Indo-European root tang—both words mean “to think” or “to consider.” The word was further developed into the Middle English variant thanken, eventually adapted into the modern form “thank.”
It’s important to be conscious when expressing gratitude. Saying a sincere and heartfelt thank you shows that we really appreciate the kindness or favor we have received. Acknowledging the efforts of others shows our gratitude and helps build positive relationships. Explaining why we are grateful, rather than just saying thank you without stating the reason, can make the appreciation extra special.
Even in difficult times, we need to find things to be thankful for and cultivate feelings of contentment. It does not mean that we have to be thankful for the difficult situation but to be grateful for the lessons we get out of it. Gratitude helps build meaningful relationships, improves our emotional health, and creates an overall sense of happiness. We need to take every opportunity to find the beauty of life and appreciate it—stop and smell the flowers!
The Benefits of Practicing Gratitude
The practice of gratitude has been linked to many physical and mental health benefits. Here are some key benefits of gratitude:
- Increased happiness: Research consistently finds that people who express gratitude frequently tend to be happier than those who don’t.
- Reduced stress: Acknowledging gratitude reduces stress hormones, which reduces anxiety and improves mood.
- Improved immune system: Expressing gratitude on a regular basis has been linked to improved immune system function.
- Healthy relationships: Gratitude can help people form stronger relationships because it opens the door to more meaningful connections with others.
These are just some of the many benefits of practicing gratitude on a regular basis. So why not take a moment to show appreciation for great people, experiences, and things around us?
How to Start Keeping a Gratitude Journal
- Make gratitude a habit: To make keeping a gratitude journal easier, try attaching it to an existing habit. For example, we can write in a journal every night before going to bed or every morning when we wake up; keep a gratitude journal beside the bedside table and jot down a few words. This will help us remember to write on it every night.
- Start small: Don’t worry about filling up pages and pages of entries. Let’s start by writing down three things we are grateful for each day. When starting a gratitude journal, it’s important to set realistic expectations. Start small and gradually increase the amount of stuff you write. Don’t overthink it—write down everything that comes to mind, even the little things.
- Focus on the benefits: Focusing on the benefits of keeping a gratitude journal can help us stay motivated. Think about how it can help us become more patient, compassionate, and mindful.
- Go for depth: Instead of writing a long list of superficial things, focus on going deeper and really reflecting on the things we are grateful for. Let’s think about the positive impact it has had on your life, or how it makes us feel.
- Let our imaginations run wild: Write about little things that bring joy, like the smell of freshly brewed coffee or the sound of birds singing in the morning.
- Make it fun: Choose a journal that evokes joy and add photos, drawings, or stickers to make it even more special.
- Don’t Compare: Everyone’s gratitude journal looks different, so don’t compare yours to someone else’s. Focus on what you are grateful for and how it makes you feel instead of worrying about what other people have written.
Journal Prompts
Here are 9 gratitude journaling tips to help get started!
- Name someone you are grateful for who made you who you are today.
- What is your favorite moment in each part of the day?
- What are you grateful for with each of your senses today?
- What are the lessons you are grateful for from adversity?
- What small act of kindness did you experience today?
- What three things do you most admire about your home?
- Name one thing you are grateful for about nature today.
- Name someone who challenged you to be a better version of yourself.
- What good thing happened today (from the moment you woke up until now)? Hot shower, wearing a favorite cologne, nice words from co-workers, great tunes on the drive to work, etc.
Seeing the Miracles of Gratitude
When it comes to seeing the miracles of gratitude, it’s important that we start by being grateful for what we already have. This simple act can do amazing miracles and manifest in our lives. It is important that we are willing to say thank you for everything, even if it doesn’t look a lot like it at first.
We can also be thankful for our dreams, even if they haven’t come true because it shows the universe that we are ready to receive. Gratitude provides us with opportunities to attract miracles and opportunities for abundance; when we are grateful, we can be a magnet of positivity and joy. Seeing the miracles of gratitude is possible if we open our hearts.
Shift the Energy With Gratitude
Gratitude has healing powers that can fuel our creativity and positivity, improving our emotional health and overall well-being. It’s not just actions, but the energy we generate when we consciously express our gratitude.
Gratitude also produces physiological changes similar to those caused by love, such as better health—heart rate, releasing stuck energy, and openness to communication. We can use gratitude to bring us closer to our happiness point before we sleep, making us better rested.
I’ve noticed that energy shifts in a feel-good way when I express gratitude and appreciation. When we shift our focus to what we’re grateful for instead of what stresses us out, our perspective changes dramatically. Expressing gratitude can also divert our energy and let us feel connected to what really matters.
Conclusion
We are all points of attention of the same consciousness—with different experiences. We need to be receptive to receiving gifts. Let’s give thanks for one thing and for another then another and let it build to enough light to melt the walls of separation. One way to break down walls is to melt them with love and love through gratitude.
We’ve looked into how having an attitude of gratitude opens up life to abundance. Now it’s time to take the next step and see what happens. Giving thanks is not just an opportunity to gather with friends and family over a delicious meal. I hope we can all enjoy Thanksgiving every day!
Have you had any situations that show how effective gratitude can be? Share them in the comments below!
