May 30, 2024
Judging by the many articles in traditional and social media, we love finding new hacks for making life easier. Eager to pour over lists for improving your finances…your relationships…your sex life…or losing weight effortlessly…the lists are endless. Some are useful, some are trifles, some are just absurd. For myself, I’ve turned to one thing that’s had a surprising and profound effect on my life. And it’s remarkably simple to do.
Expressing gratitude.
Taking a moment (or several) each day to reflect on all the good things in your life, has a real and scientifically-proven effect on your mental and emotional well-being. The positive effects can be felt almost immediately. There are many ways to express gratitude: by journaling, speaking it out loud or silently during meditation, or just as a thought. It’s something we can all do. Anytime, anywhere. Best of all, it’s really easy.
If you’re doubtful if this can work, think how frequently the opposite is true. The negative thoughts and grievances that creep into our minds everyday and affect our emotional well-being. Irritations with traffic, boring meetings, missed promotions, petty arguments. It’s easy to see the negative in our lives, but when it comes to recognizing the positives—we need help.
Some of this is attributed to living in a consumer-based economy that constantly pushes us to want that which we don’t have. We are goaded into buying the next new-something, the one new thing that’s guaranteed to make us happy.
Or it’s the impact of social media, where it’s not unusual to see 20-something-year-old influencers jetting away on private aircraft, cruising on luxury yachts, or partying in the VIP section of every hot club on the planet. After spending an hour on social media, you’ll come away believing that everyone else in the world is leading the best life ever. Everyone but you.
It’s an easy trap to fall into. But if you stopped to think about it, there are probably millions of people on this planet who would, at this very moment, gladly trade places with you. Right now—right away. Happy to spend a day in your life, in your world—free from the terror of living in a war zone, being on the brink of starvation, or without access to medical care. None of this is intended to be insensitive to the many people in this country that are suffering and struggling. But, everyone should be able to find at least something in life worthy of gratitude. A loving relationship, good health, a faith in greater power, or simply enjoying the beauty of nature.
Life is about balance. Make room for gratitude in your daily life. Start to balance the good with all the external and internal negatives the world foists upon us. In a few days, you’ll see an overall improvement in your attitude and outlook.
Be thankful. Enjoy your life. You’ve been given another day to live on this planet.
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