Gratitude. I’m increasingly aware of how much I have to be grateful for with every year that passes. When I was young, I worried about my deficiencies, what I lacked, or what I wanted and didn’t have. It seemed that everybody was better off than I was. My parents, thank goodness, always focused on what they did have, and eventually their wisdom and approach to life sank into me, too.
What is gratitude? It’s recognizing what or who is good in your life. It’s more than just a feeling, however, as it doesn’t really ‘count’ unless you express it with words or actions. Choosing to be grateful as a regular practice isn’t something that just sounds nice, it’s a mindset that will change your life for the better! Practicing gratitude regularly shifts your outlook from one of ‘deprivation’ to one of ‘abundance’; it helps you move past complaining to finding solutions to problems; and it’s contagious! When you are genuinely grateful, people are drawn to you, because you help create positive energy.
Who are the people in your life who supported you when you most needed it? It’s never too late to express your appreciation with a note, a call, or a short visit, for example. My favorite saying in psychology is: “Behavior that gets rewarded gets repeated.” With children, for instance, look for what they’re doing right and, magically, you’ll see more of it. Does your spouse go to work every day to support your family? Thank him for his dedication and loyalty to the family. If your grocery cashier is always friendly, cheerful and helpful, say so! Or tell her supervisor what a good job she’s doing.
Commit today to looking for what’s good in your life. Count your many blessings. Sharing your gratitude for them has the lovely side-effect of making you happier and more resilient.
by Kathleen Vestal Logan MS, MA November 20, 2017