Gratitude

Gratitude - Defined

Gratitude is a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation towards people, situations, or even things in life. It is an emotion that we experience when we recognize the good intentions and kindness of others. Gratitude helps us appreciate life's beauty, joy, and blessings by recognizing all the positive things in our lives, big and small. It has been scientifically proven to bring about many positive psychological effects, such as increased happiness, improved self-esteem, better relationships with others, and even improved physical health.

Gratitude allows us to step back from our daily lives and acknowledge all the wonderful opportunities and people who have made them possible. It encourages us to practice humility and focus more on what we have instead of what we lack. It teaches us valuable life lessons, such as being generous with our time and resources to give back in meaningful ways. Finally, gratitude helps us to foster deeper connections with those around us by recognizing their contributions to our lives.

Incorporating gratitude into our daily lives can be incredibly beneficial for both ourselves and those around us.

Many strategies can help build this important habit into our everyday routines – here are thirteen of them:

1) Make time each day to reflect on what you are thankful for.

2) Keep a gratitude journal where you write down 3-5 things that happened during the day for which you are grateful.

3) Send handwritten thank-you notes or emails expressing gratitude for something someone did for you.

4) Take time throughout the day to appreciate your surroundings – look around you at nature’s beauty or take notice of small details like a favorite cup, shirt, or song that you love to sing along to.

5) Spend time with friends or family members regularly so that they know they are loved and appreciated.

6) Use affirmations to remind yourself of how much there is to be thankful for each day.

7) Show your appreciation by performing acts of kindness towards others.

8) Offer sincere compliments when appropriate.

9) Reach out by phone or email just to say hello without any expectation of receiving anything in return.

10) Talk positively about those around you instead of dwelling on their faults.

11) Count your blessings every night before bedtime: ask yourself, "Who did I help, who helped me, and what did I learn from the experiences I had during my day?

12) Express yourself creatively or artistically through writing or drawing about what you’re thankful for.

13) Give yourself permission some days just be present with no expectations other than feeling grateful.

Gratitude is a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation towards people, situations, or even things in life. It is an emotion that we experience when we recognize the good intentions and kindness of others. According to a study by John D. Loyd and colleagues at the University of Miami, gratitude has been associated with increased happiness, better relationships with others, improved self-esteem, and even improved physical health.

Incorporating gratitude into our daily lives can have incredibly positive benefits for both ourselves and those around us – the thirteen strategies listed above are an excellent way to build this important habit into your routine.

A good way to end the day.

The impact that taking time out of each day to practice these kinds of habits can have can be profound – not only do they remind us just how blessed we truly are, but it also helps increase feelings of contentment and overall well-being. A great example comes from William Purkey, who said, “At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us”. This statement serves as a reminder that true happiness can only come from within if we take the necessary steps towards cultivating it ourselves through gratefulness towards others and ourselves.

Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can transform our lives and help us to live happier, more fulfilling lives. To demonstrate the importance of gratitude, I’d like to tell you about my grandmother, who was always thankful for everything she had in life. She would teach me the value of being grateful no matter how small or insignificant something might seem. She believed that the more we appreciate what we have, the more blessings we will attract into our lives. I carry this wisdom with me every day and strive to live a life of gratitude for all I’ve been given.

The practice of gratitude has been proven to be one of the most powerful tools available in our journey toward living a happier and more meaningful life. Incorporating gratitude into our everyday lives can help us cultivate deeper connections with others, lead more fulfilling lives, and ultimately be happier in the long run. So take some time today and express your gratitude for all that you have. You’ll be amazed at how much it can improve your quality of life.

About Susan Leys - Personal Development & Culture

As a healthcare professional and coach, my mission has been to help patients and families navigate their health challenges. Along the way, I've also worked with top-notch healthcare teams and learned how our team collaboration has made the care we provide for our patients and families better. I developed this newsletter to examine how our personal development and culture help enhance our employee experience and performance - and not just in healthcare. I write weekly on LinkedIn about topics that help you improve your personal and professional brand, relationships with your team, and career. Thanks for reading - I'd love it if you followed my newsletter by hitting the subscribe button above or connect with me at?Susan A. Leys

Sources:

1) University of California at Davis (2020). "Gratitude and Well-Being." https://psychology.ucdavis.edu/labs/emmons/gratitude-and-well-being

2) Mayo Clinic (2019). "Expressing Gratitude May Make You Happier". https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/gratitude/art-20047801

3) Lloyd, J. D., et al. (2015). “Gratitude: a Meta-analysis of its Determinants and Outcomes”. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 19(2), pp. 137–167. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088868314541727

4) Purkey, W. (n.d.). “William Arthur Ward Quotes”. The Quote Garden, https://www.quotegarden.com/gratitude.html