In this blog, I am going to discuss the topic of gratitude and share with you my perspective on how practicing gratitude can enhance your outlook on life. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, gratitude is “the feeling or quality of being grateful.” Expressing gratitude for the people, achievements, and things we have in life is important to remind us of all we truly possess. What we have one day in our life can be stripped away from us in an instant. This is the hard truth of life. Imagine, you are healthy one day living life as you normally do, and then suddenly you receive a diagnosis the next day that turns your whole life upside down. Expressing gratitude often for what you have in your life will always keep you grounded, appreciative, and living in the moment. Always remembering that each day is a gift, not something that is promised to us.
In a consumerism society, we are constantly infiltrated with the newest trends, fashions, gadgets, technology, etc. The list goes on. There is always something to want. These desires can leave us feeling empty and always feeling we need more. I mean think about it, have you ever wondered these wonderful words before, “I wish I had that”. Then with time comes the unexpected. You receive exactly what you want. You’re satisfied in this moment, right? Sure, but then shortly thereafter you find yourself wanting even more.
Let’s envision another scenario. You land the perfect job that you always wanted. The job you always envisioned yourself having. Then after some time goes by, suddenly it is not enough to make you happy, or you are not making enough. Well, the truth of the matter is that in this world we live in, it is easy to consistently feel like we never have enough. It only takes the click of a button, and you can compare yourself to many others out there in this world.
What is the solution to this dilemma? The answer is practicing gratitude and focusing your mindset on the things you already possess and people you have in life. After recently graduating from my Ph.D. program, I took time to reset and reflect over the holidays. I would take walks, listening to nature without my headphones, and reflect on the things in life that I have and those who make my life better with them in it. I found myself realizing that when we take time to focus on the positive things in our life, while simultaneously expressing gratitude for these things and people, we become joyfully content in that moment. Our perspective on our lives begins to change. We realize that everything we have in this present moment is all we will ever need to make us fulfilled and content.
Every morning or at night before you go to bed, I encourage you to journal for ten minutes. Express what you are grateful for. Your family, friends, or children? Maybe you landed your dream job? Or maybe you got accepted into graduate school? When you write down what you are grateful for, you will find that your mindset begins to change. You shift your busy mind to the positive things you have in life before the day begins or before you lay your head down at night. Maybe in the moment of writing these things down for which you are grateful for, you then begin to realize the things you once desired, you truly do not desire after all. You noticed that by writing down these things you have in life, you already have everything you could ever imagine. Remember to always have an attitude of gratitude! It will make you smile and your perspective on life will be more positive.
