Gratitude turns what we have into enough. No matter how much we have it never seems to be enough, but being grateful changes things.
Gratitude is the being thankful. Without gratitude, or simply forgetting about it, it is hard to realize just how much we really have. Realizing how much you really have can be liberating and help you feel fulfilled.
The act of being grateful has many benefits, several that have been proven scientifically. It can actually improve your health and even help you sleep better.
Gratitude can help you in your relationships and even open doors to more friendships.This happens when we show gratitude to people, even if it’s just a simple thank you for a small thing. Giving more thoughtful thanks for bigger gifts like a card for help with a project can really endear people to you.
Your psychological health can be improved with gratitude by removing negative emotions like envy and regret. It can also improve self esteem by removing the desire to compare ourselves to others and what they have. You will likely notice others accomplishments and appreciate them for their hard work.
It’s also been shown to reduce stress and overcome trauma. It has even been helpful in reducing PTSD in vets by increasing psychological resiliency. There are a lot more, but we’re here to meditate!
The most simple gratitude meditation is to simply take a few minutes and reflect on your day and notice what you are grateful for. It could be something that happened, something you got, a nice meal you had, the fact that your body works well, clean air, great night’s sleep or literally anything.
Gratitude for the small things helps us realize that all we really need are the small things. And, that makes even more grateful for the bigger things we get or accomplish.
Another gratitude meditation is to think of something unpleasant you are dealing with and see if you can flip it to something positive. For example, maybe you are living in a situation that isn’t the best, but there is something about it that is positive, or offers some benefit, or you are learning something from the situation.
Practicing gratitude meditation will help you notice what you are grateful for as you go about your day. This is a form of mindfulness meditation. When practicing mindfulness you can’t help but notice what you are grateful for. The blessings life has to offer are always right there in the moment, they just need to be noticed for you to benefit. Noticing in the moment is an added blessing.
Taking a moment to pause and be grateful for your food is one of the most common meditation practices there is. And, one of the most powerful in many ways.
Finally, take a moment right now and think of one thing you are grateful for. Notice how much better your life is with it, and how hard your life would be without. Then check in to see how you feel, see if there’s a change.
You may or may not notice a difference, but with just a little practice you are sure to find yourself feeling more positive. Give it a try and see how it works for you.
