As we’re likely well acquainted with the word gratitude, let’s unpack this widely used word.
Gratitude if often used to express how appreciative we are for situations, people, or events in our life. It’s an expression of ‘thanks’ for the boons of our life. However, because it’s been popularized it may be losing some of its efficacy. We live in a world where information, new language and modern ideas are readily shared and appropriated. We freely use modern terms to be ‘in the know’ or that make us seem like we’re conscious and awake human beings.
When we use language that hasn’t been integrated into our lives, can it be effective?
Gratitude: when consistently invoked creates visceral sensations in the body and can uplift and transform your life. But Why? When we slow down and appreciate the small things in our lives, daily, this practice can light up our lives. Taking stock of small things; clean water, having a fridge full of food, a reliable car, loving family, the smells of fall are all moments of gratitude.
If we can bring awareness to these experiences daily and feel the blessings by acknowledging them, we have the capacity to override our negative thought trains that tend to hijack our minds. Gratitude, when practiced daily can make you healthier – when you feel better you are better.
‘Research has shown that gratitude can improve general wellbeing, increase resilience, strengthen social relationships, and reduce stress and depression. The more grateful people are, the greater their overall well-being and life satisfaction. They also have stronger immune systems, lower blood pressure, better sleeps (and better waking). They’ll be more alert and more generous, compassionate, and happier. Grateful people also have a greater capacity for joy and positive emotions.’ – Karen Yung online resource in Hey Sigmund Brain Matters.
If science isn’t enough to convince you, think about this; what you focus your attention on you manifest. If you habitually ruminate on negative experiences, people, political or global events and have forgone looking at positive events, you will feel down, disempowered, and disheveled. If you bring attention to what’s good in your life, you’ll develop the skill of conjuring positive feelings and emotions in your body and mind.
As we are in a weekend of celebrating ‘thanks’ in Canada, many of us have translated this time to mean celebration of family and friends and time together. Today the world is a much different place than it was a year ago, it may feel challenging to feel gratitude, especially if you’ve experienced loss of any kind (work, financial, life and beyond).
Being grateful isn’t about avoiding difficult emotions or situations. Gratitude can only be effective if you’ve made room for the challenging situations and emotions to exist. We can’t bypass the torment in our world with gratitude. Gratitude will uplift life and allow for difficult events and emotions to co-exist. Gratefulness doesn’t make you numb to your life it wakes you up to it.
Culturally we’ve lost perspective. We value titles, wealth, beauty, awards and being famous over feeling joy and contentment with the small things that fill our lives. When we appreciate the seemingly unspectacular moments in life, we have the potential to create a magnificent life.
If you want to feel different in your life, if you want to find the spectacular in the everyday, try a practice of gratitude and see if this ‘woo woo’ practice changes your life.
With love
Noelle