Gratitude

This is a topic that is probably not given the attention it should as it plays a significant role in our mindset and accomplishing what we set out to achieve.

“If the only prayer you say in your life is ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.”

– Meister Eckhart          

Gratitude changes your focus from what you feel your life lacks to what you already have. Being grateful and giving thanks makes you happier, more creative, strengthens relationships, helps you bounce back more quickly from adversity, improves your health and reduces stress. It should be an important part of your daily routine. It is also referred to as ‘counting your blessings’, ‘gratefulness’, ‘thankfulness’ and ‘taking notice of the simple pleasures of life’.

In an article written by Robert Emmons of the University of California and Michael McCollough of the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, after conducting a gratitude experiment, the results of the psychologists’ study indicated that daily gratitude exercises result in higher reported levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, optimism, and energy. In addition, they also found that those who practised gratitude experienced less depression and stress, and were more likely to help others, exercise more regularly and made greater progress towards achieving personal goals.

Practising gratitude does not mean that everything in one’s life is great, it simply means that instead of only holding out for big achievements before feeling grateful, we are aware of the small ‘great’ things and find joy in them.

So as part of your daily routine set aside a few minutes to make a note of the things that you are grateful for no matter how little they may seem.