“A grateful heart sees each day as a gift. Thankful people focus less on what they lack and more on the privileges they have.”1
What makes gratitude difficult? Is it the paucity of abundance? Is it materialism, envy, or an innate trait?
The words of Henry Ward Beecher echoed strongly. “A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.” Pride supersedes self-centeredness, selfishness, and greed; breeding ingratitude. Often our need for admiration and approval stops us from being grateful.
A key lesson in my journey with PTSD has been gratitude. Gratitude impacts mental health by improving depression, anxiety, phobia, trauma, and stress. It can eliminate substance dependence and abuse. I have found the renewed meaning of “thankfulness” and simpler ways to be grateful.
Beauty around me
I am more conscious of the tiny moments in life. A wildflower, the first sunrays, the morning tea made by my hubby, or a dog playing on the pavement. They are all beautiful reminders of a blessed life.
Building relationships
During our morning walks, people often smile at our puppy. We smile back and strike up a conversation. This has helped me find smiling faces everywhere.
Inspiring content
I start and end my days by hearing sermons, hymns and motivational talks. Watching good content opens my mind to positive ideas. Pursuing the good in the world inspires me to add to it.
An act of kindness each day
You can find different things to do or the same daily activity. Caring for our local stray dogs with my entire family gives me joy.
Give
An easy way to experience gratitude is to give. If helping with your finances is difficult, volunteer for organisations that help others. Raise awareness for a cause, mobilise fundraisers; the list is unending. But DO something. And while selecting what to do, choose people who cannot return your deed.
Thank people
Thank the people who serve you in the community, not just your friends or loved ones. Thank even the people who give you a hard time. They provide priceless lessons!!
Embrace challenges
Instead of seeing roadblocks turn them into opportunities to grow. You can choose between “my bad luck” and “blessing in disguise”. Be thankful for the lesson. During bad times learn from people who stay by your side. And when your time gets better, help people in need. Finding growth opportunities in my mistakes has helped me learn. Which in turn encourages me to help others.
Collect your gratitude
While every day is to be grateful for, there are specific things I want to remember. A box of tiny notes at my work desk is collecting those instances. Sometimes I also share gratitude through blogs on social media. You never know whom you bless and influence.
Pray
Prayer is a “solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or another deity”. With the current worldviews, I am cautious and conscious of advocating "religiosity". Yet, I want to stress on the “posture” of prayer according to its meaning. When we pray to anyone higher or greater- we come in humility. And humility is a strong teacher of thankfulness.
The practice of gratitude can give us something we all want - a better world!
Let's begin today.
