I believe that one of the most important keys to happiness and contentment in life is gratitude. It ultimately means being thankful for all that is happening in our lives with the hope that even the unpleasant circumstances which we may experience will in some ways turn out for good – even when it is not clear how that could possibly happen. It includes seeing the good in the bad, realizing that things could always be worse, and being grateful that they aren’t. It also means remembering with compassion those who are far worse off than we are – there is always someone – and appreciating our own situation.
Even if money is scarce, be grateful that you have the basic needs provided, such as food on the table and roof over your head. Being grateful even for the small things in life puts us in a place where we become more and more aware of the intangibles – those things that money cannot buy, but which can be worth more than winning a lottery jackpot.
Consider such things as the love of family and friends, the scent and beauty of spring flowers coming to life after a cold, dead winter, the sunshine and gentle breeze on your face, the fluttering butterfly that just flew past. Focus on the stars above, rather than the mud below and thereby rise above the negativity that often surrounds us in all forms and shapes. You cannot help but feel better about your situation.
It is a fact that our world generally reflects our thoughts – if we view our surroundings as negative and frustrating, that is how they will appear. If on the other hand, we focus on the bright side of life, or even the specks of light in the darkness, our view will be more optimistic.
I am aware that in some parts of our sad world, many are living in hellish situations – especially when viewed from the affluent Western perspective. Yet, they make the most of their circumstances and often are more content than those of us whose challenges are infinitesimally smaller in comparison.
Also history is filled with stories of people who had survived concentration camps and similarly horrible situations by focusing on higher realities, by seeing meaning in their suffering, by maintaining a strong hope that life would get better, and by learning rich lessons from their trials and tribulations. Many of these survivors have been able to later improve their world by showing and teaching others how to transcend adversity despite all odds.
As contradictory as it may seem, research results reveal that adversity can actually increase gratitude. For example, an Internet survey has shown that after the events of September 11, 2001, there was an immediate surge in feelings of thankfulness. Tough times can actually deepen gratefulness if we allow them to remind us not to take things for granted. This is because in good times, we tend to take for granted what we should be grateful for. By contrast, in times of uncertainty, we often realize that the people and circumstances we’ve come to take for granted are actually of immense value to us.
Robert Emmons, Ph.D., writes: “In the face of demoralization, gratitude has the power to energize. In the face of brokenness, gratitude has the power to heal. In the face of despair, gratitude has the power to bring hope. In other words, gratitude can help us cope with hard times.” In good times and in tough times, gratitude turns out to be one of the most powerful choices you can make.
Thankfulness and gratitude are principles that resonate through the various spiritual traditions. These qualities place us into a higher frame of mind, higher state of consciousness, higher vibrational energy. Even if things are bad, being grateful for the good things in our lot, no matter how infinitesimal, will invariably make us feel better. So as the Christian song goes, count your blessings one by one – and you may be surprised at how many you can come up with.
Studies show that besides putting us in a better frame of mind, gratitude provides powerful health benefits, including vitality and inner peace. It not only makes us feel better – it also makes us get better physically, emotionally and mentally. Grateful people experience fewer aches and pains, better sleep, and stronger mental clarity.
It has been documented that a grateful attitude leads to measurable effects on several body and brain systems, including:
Another study has shown that when people over a period of ten weeks focused on what they could be grateful for rather than what annoyed them, they reported more life satisfaction and fewer health complaints than those with a negative orientation. A daily practice of recording things to be grateful for led to increased gratitude over time, as well as greater goodwill towards others. This manifested in giving more emotional support or helping others with their personal problems.
With a habitual focus on being grateful, changes occur in the brain which in turn lead to behaviour modification. As a result, grateful people tend to take better care of themselves and to engage in more protective health behaviours, like regular exercise and a healthy diet. They also tend to have lower levels of stress. This in turn is linked to increased immune function and to decreased rates of cancer and heart disease. The principle seems to be that grateful people take better care of what they appreciate – which extends to the body and other people.
Not only does saying “thank you” constitute good manners, but appreciating people can also win new friends and help build ongoing relationships. Grateful people also tend to be more sensitive and have greater empathy toward others, as well as a decreased desire to seek revenge.
To increase your GI (“Gratitude Quotient”), here are some simple things you can do:
1. Say Grace: Anytime you sit down to a meal with loved ones, or even by yourself, pause to give thanks for the food and other things in your life.
2. Keep a daily gratitude journal: Record what good things the day has brought and give thanks.
3. Express gratefulness to those around you: Tell a spouse, partner or friend every day what you appreciate about them.
4. Remember mortality: You never know how long you, or anyone close to you, will remain alive. Treat your loved ones as if this could be the last time you’ll see them.
To sum up, gratefulness is a powerful attitude that will not only change your perspective and enable you to see a negative situation in a more positive light. It is also health promoting, modifies your overall behaviour, and contributes to building positive relationships.
For more information, see http://foodrevolution.org/blog/thanksgiving/