Maintaining an Attitude of Gratitude
Daily life is full of stress, financial concerns, family dynamics, and lots of unknowns. At times, the list can feel endless and overwhelming. We all experience a lot of pressure, and it can be easy to fall into the cycle of continuous worries and intrusive thoughts. Instead of getting bogged down by negativity, consider reflecting on personal triumphs and embracing an attitude of gratitude to help ease life’s woes.
Let’s face it. Life will never be completely smooth and without troubles. That’s why it's important that you give yourself permission to be grateful for whatever life throws your way - and embrace the growth that comes with every situation. Maintaining an attitude of gratitude doesn’t mean being grateful every minute of every day; it means finding moments to be grateful for every day.
Not sure where to start? Try these four exercises:
1. Start and End Your Day with Gratitude
Before you even get out of bed and enjoy that first sip of morning coffee, silently name five things you are grateful for. The timing of morning gratitude matters – you might not feel the effects of that gratefulness right away, but it carries throughout the day. Kickstart your day with gratitude and end your day the same way. Each night when your head hits the pillow, instead of ruminating about whatever didn’t go according to plan that day, have perspective and spend a few moments recalling things for which to be grateful.
2. Remember that Gratitude Adds Up
Keep in mind that the more you remember to exercise gratitude, the more it accumulates. When you commit to a long-term gratitude practice, you’ll notice positive influences begin to take effect when you need them most. During trying times, little pockets of gratitude can instill and guide happier, more fulfilling, more connected, and more compassionate lifestyles, helping you to become the best version of yourself.
3. A Learned Skill
Like many other trained skills, gratitude takes durable resilience and steady cultivation. A large part of gratitude is having the humility to say, “How do I get better during tough times?” or “This situation is not great, but what I can learn from this?” while setting the tone to do more. Train your brain to become happier and healthier, and soon it will become second nature.
4. Balancing Negative and Positivity
No one who consistently practices gratitude can focus solely on the positive while pretending everything is okay or that we live in a problem-free world. Oftentimes, maintaining an attitude of gratitude is about finding balance or a silver lining, even during difficult times. Cultivating gratitude during the most challenging or frustrating moments can build mental muscles that can result in a grounded acknowledgment of the moment.
Even just the mere thought of expressing gratitude can be uplifting, enveloping moments of grace, thanks, and lightness. Once you’ve found a groove, you might notice that gratitude is as constant as the sun. Instead of waiting for moments to be thankful for, you’ll realize that they have always been there – the key is to recognize and embrace them.
