As those of us here in the United States get ready to celebrate our Thanksgiving holiday, I thought it would be fitting to take a brief look at gratitude and how it plays a powerful role in our life.
What is gratitude? Is it simply saying “thank you” and really meaning it? Is it just being thankful for the good things or people in our lives? Is it really an attitude?
Yes, gratitude is all these things, but I’d like to suggest that “the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful,” holds more power over our lives and our success than we might think.
1. An attitude of gratitude reduces negative thoughts.
Think about it. It’s hard to be negative when your attitude is filled with the positive notion of gratitude and thankfulness. When we take the time to shape our thoughts around those things for which we are grateful – we experience the power of dispelling that which is negative in our life.
2. An attitude of gratitude improves our relationships.
Appreciation is a part of gratitude. We all like to be appreciated for who we are and even for what we do. When we come to our relationships with an attitude of appreciation, we often experience transforming power. Years of tensions or bitterness can melt away through the simple, yet powerful act of gratitude and appreciation.
3. An attitude of gratitude is a good health choice.
There are all kinds of scientific studies about this, but just think about it again – don’t you feel better, happier and more optimistic when you are grateful? How about your productivity? I’m willing to bet that you and I are both more productive when we are filled with an attitude of thankfulness.
4. An attitude of gratitude focuses our minds on what we want in our lives.
This is another one of those simple, yet very powerful truths. Think of it this way – if we are truly grateful for all the blessings in our lives, why wouldn’t we want more of them? Our attitude of gratitude serves to focus our minds on the things we have and the things we want, desire and need to live an even fuller, more meaningful life.
In the end gratitude is not just an attitude, but it is a choice.
When we choose to be grateful and to express that gratefulness, we find our lives being shaped by its power. When that happens, we move our life to greater heights – and that is always something to be thankful for.
How has being grateful made your life better, easier, more fulfilled? What are you grateful for in this season of Thanksgiving? How do you express your gratefulness to your friends, family, co-workers or boss?
Share your thoughts below.
