An Attitude of Gratitude
It’s the season to be thankful and grateful for all we have, but what if we lived our life with that gratitude all the time?
Living your life with gratitude helps you shift how you view things, and it is the best way to improve one’s wellbeing. For as little as fifteen seconds of savoring something you are grateful for, you can change your perspective in the moment, turn challenges into opportunities, and flip disappointments into knowledge and growth. The beauty of living a mindset of gratitude is that it can be done anytime, anywhere. The challenge is to train your mind so that an attitude of gratitude becomes a habit.
One way to develop this habit is by keeping a gratitude journal to express those often overlooked things that you are thankful for. Try writing at least three things you are grateful for each and every day. It is best to set aside the same time (like evening or morning) to write in your journal. When you make this your discipline, you will start to see how many more things you are actually grateful for. For example, the imperfections in your life that once got you down are no longer where your mind focuses. Gratitude gives us a different, and more positive perspective.
To take this practice to another level, you can harness your gratitude while practicing purposeful belly breathing with your eyes closed. By doing this for several minutes, you will feel less stressed and more joyful. It sounds simple enough, but like developing any new habit, it will take time to develop this skill and there will be setbacks. With time and practice you will feel your mind shift to a new state of appreciation that will be worth it!