As I work on this entry, the Dinah Washington’s version of María Grever’s song “What A Difference A Day Makes” is playing over and over in my head.
That’s not unusual, as my friends tell me I “think” in music. Basically, in any conversation I’ve been known to mention (and dare sing) a song that relates to the topic.
In this classic song, Dinah sings with gratitude how a kiss and romance changed 24 hours of her life.
Ahhh…..I can relate - can you?
I’ve written on gratitude in the past, but due to the current pandemic it’s on my heart to continue the discussion.
Gratitude can be simply broken down to appreciating the good things in your life. It doesn’t always seem simple, though.
When things are hectic or stressful, finding the silver lining can be challenging. However, learning how to embrace gratitude can significantly boost your happiness.
Being grateful offers a host of other benefits you’re probably not aware of, too. Let’s take a closer look at the concept, ways it can improve your life and how to practice it.
What Is Gratitude?
There are many definitions of gratitude.
Some people believe it’s a feeling or emotion.
Others look at it as more of a mood.
Some folks believe gratitude is a personality trait a person exhibits.
Actually, these can all be correct.
In essence, gratitude elicits satisfaction and appreciation in a person through feelings, actions or even inherent qualities.
However, even those of us who may be more inclined to feel grateful on a regular basis through our glass-half-full-optimism likely need to work on evoking such an outlook.
Gratitude can be viewed as a practice or something you perform regularly. Most people practice something because it benefits them. This is true of gratitude.
As with other practices, you’ll get better at demonstrating gratitude the more you work at it.
Benefits of Embracing Gratitude
There are many benefits of gratitude; many of them have been scientifically proven. Once you begin to understand these, chances are good that you’ll see why it’s so important to develop a grateful mindset.
Gratitude can have a positive effect on both physical and mental health. Research has shown it to improve relaxation, sleep quality and energy levels.
Being thankful for your blessings can enhance your emotional wellness. You’ll deal better in crisis situations and find you’re more resilient when you’re able to look on the bright side. This can contribute to better relationships, too.
Appreciating the positives in life can simply make you feel happier.
Ways to Practice Gratitude
Recognizing your blessings may not come easily at first, but there are some ways to help make it a habit and a regular part of your routine.
One of the most convenient and impactful methods for cultivating appreciation is through keeping a gratitude journal. In this practice, you’ll write down three things each day that you’re grateful for, which makes it easier to notice and recognize those good things.
For example, today I am grateful my iPhone survived being dropped in the bathtub. Side note: NEVER put an iPhone in rice. I may write about that one day (serious eyeroll).
Meditation has also been shown to help. Personally I use the Abide App These are Christian meditations where you can search by topic. My favorites are the Stories For Sleep narrated by James Seawood. For free 30 Day Premium Access, use my referral link https://abide.co/gp/d0btl3. You won’t be disappointed.
Prayer is of the utmost importance in my life. For me prayer is simply having a conversation with God. If you’re new to prayer and want abmore of a structured approach, I recommend checking out author Stormie Omartian’s collection of prayer guides. Two that I’ve found most helpful are Prayer Warrior: The Power of Praying® Your Way to Victory and The Power of a Praying® Woman.
Reading the Bible brings me comfort, and makes me grateful of how much Jesus loves me. Most are familiar with the King James Version, but I recommend reading a translation that is easy to undersand. You can read the Bible for free at BibleGateway.
Making an effort to thank someone each day, for even the smallest thing, opens your eyes and heart to abundance. When was the last time you thanked your mail carrier? Your trash collector? The clerk at the grocery store? Try it and see how you feel.
Giving back and doing good for others can provide tremendous perspective, as well.
Before the pandemic I was quite active volunteering in my community. A church member and I visited a senior living home and conducted church services for them monthly.
I haven’t been able to visit since January 2020, but I’ve found something else on a smaller scale. There is a local grocery store where you deposit $0.25 to use a shopping cart. When I’m done with mine, I scout out a Senior I can give the cart too.
Now you have a better idea of just what making a concerted effort to count your blessings can do for your life. Embracing and expressing gratitude are more important than many of us realize.
I’m grateful for my those reading this entry, grateful for the women who’ve trusted me to play a role in their career journey.
You’re reading this entry. That means you lived to see another day.
And that is a reason to be grateful.
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