Happy New Year! This is the time of year that always gives us space for a brief mental pause and to start anew. January 1st is our customary reset button to openly or silently set resolutions to determine the course of action or direction to accomplish our envisioned goals. As industrious human beings, we want to feel hope that we can accomplish our goals with ambitious energy and gusto.
I know that as people we get discouraged and may go down the rabbit hole thinking, “what is the point, people don’t stick with things anyway”. I want to pose a different perspective. What if we re-arrange our approach to some things so we can fulfill those dreams and goals, and not feel that the task is too overwhelming? We don’t have to be left with that feeling of defeat. What if we could use the feeling of defeat to our benefit? What if that part of us is there to help us, not hinder us? The feeling of defeat alone deeply wares on us. That defeated part of us internally speaks to us with its loud internal critical voice telling us that we failed again. That defeated voice works with the part of us that creates a negative belief that brings our energy down and we stop thinking of all of the positive things we have accomplished both big and small. It chips away at our confidence, leaving us to believe that we are not good enough. Here is the point we usually feel overwhelmed and may give up.
Our belief constructs that we are failures and defeated again do not make it true. It is just that the part of us that carries this belief construct tries to motivate us and alert us, perhaps trying to motivate us to stay the course or get back on the path. That might be why the voices in our heads are so loud and annoying at times. It’s trying to gain our attention to take action. Those parts of us may be trying to help us stay the course and be a reminder for us. We are truly not defeated. We run into obstacles all the time. We can change our mindset to not be so hard on ourselves. A little bit of help or suggested ways might get you to think of ways you can move forward again feeling all the goodness that comes with the process even when you don’t feel like it.
I believe most people are not lazy and want to accomplish goals for themselves. Human beings are naturally industrious. Perhaps, many people may never have been taught how to look at their surroundings in a way that helps them set the course. People want to be successful and accomplish things for themselves. I do not remember ever having a lesson in school about how to be successful or how to set realistic goals and ways to achieve those goals. Maybe you have, but I can certainly tell you that I did not have that lesson. Life is very hard with all kinds of obstacles that we have to navigate through daily. It can be overwhelming to the point that sometimes you just don’t know what to do or where to start to make their intentions stick. There is so much negative chatter out there that fosters negative beliefs as real when they are not. People may just need some help on how to slow down to get there. So let’s look at how we can use one small daily gesture and make it into a daily routine that yields huge positive results in the long run. Cultivating gratitude. We begin by taking small steps so you can start realizing some victories that can excite you, keep you focused, and be your daily reminder and grounding device that keeps you on track. You do not have to feel overwhelmed with finding the time to fit in one more thing. It is taking a few moments to bring yourself to live in the present as nothing else exists except the moment.
Let me suggest that we start with gratitude. What if we could embrace this definition and begin to focus on how to look for and how to open oneself up to feel gratitude daily? Let’s define gratitude. Gratitude is the feeling of being thankful and appreciative for all that we receive. It’s a powerful emotion that can have far-reaching positive effects on our well-being. Studies show gratitude can increase overall happiness, and energy levels, and improve physical health.
What is not understood about gratitude by most people?
One thing that is often not understood about gratitude is that it can be practiced daily. Just like any other habit, gratitude must be cultivated and reinforced regularly to reap the benefits. It does not have to be a practice that takes up all of your time.
How can gratitude be practiced daily?
There are many ways to practice gratitude each day. Some of the most popular techniques include keeping a gratitude journal, writing thank you notes or letters, expressing gratitude through affirmations or prayers, meditating on gratitude, and taking time to appreciate small moments throughout the day. I like to begin my day with a quick and soft meditation to set a positive grounding for the day. I sit quietly and do some deep breathing 8 – 10 times to settle in. Then I envision 2 – 3 things I am grateful for. It can be small simple things, such as having the opportunity to be able to have a wonderful breakfast this morning, or, I feel gratitude for being able to interact with interesting people, and having access to clean water. Each of these methods can help remind us why we should be thankful for our lives, rather than what is going wrong or what we don’t have.
By making gratitude a part of our daily routine, we can create more meaningful connections in our lives and improve our overall well-being. Gratitude creates space for positive energy to flow in and around us. It does not deplete us where negative energy eventually does. Here are some of the Having gratitude as a daily practice is an incredibly powerful tool. Here are some ways that gratitude can flex its positive muscles and give you benefits in return:
1). Gratitude can help to reduce stress and anxiety. By keeping us grounded and present at the moment to what is important and real. It keeps us connected to the good things in our lives instead of worrying about all the negative things around us.
2). Gratitude can help shift our mindset from a scarcity mentality to one of abundance; meaning that we become more aware of how much we have on all levels as opposed to what we don’t have.
3). Gratitude is also great for strengthening relationships. It encourages us to take time and recognize the people in our lives who make us feel loved and supported. Expressing gratitude can help create a better bond with those around us, allowing for deeper connections to form. Gratitude also fosters empathy, kindness, and hope – qualities that are essential for strong mental health and connecting to others.
4). Finally, gratitude helps increase overall happiness by helping us stay focused on the positive aspects of our lives more, rather than wallowing in the negative ones. The energy stays positive and does not deplete our reserves. Gratitude keeps us in a state of gratitude, where we can appreciate the things that bring us joy even on difficult days. It keeps our energy reservoir full.
When it comes to gratitude practices, experts recommend dedicating just a few minutes each day to consciously recognize the things you’re grateful for in your life. This could mean taking ten minutes of quiet time to simply reflect or writing down those things in a gratitude journal as a few moments to reset your brain to focus on the goodness you have and help you to begin to restore positive energy.
So make sure to take time each day to recognize the good things you have in your life – because gratitude is fundamental to healthy mental health. Gratitude can be a positive infectious behavior to spread to others. It can calm that mind and feed the soul.
In conclusion, gratitude is essential for mental health and well-being; making it a daily practice helps us focus on the positives and remember what we have rather than what we don’t. It also spreads positive vibes that can benefit our relationships with others! So let’s get started!
