The Power of Gratitude
- Des Marie
- Apr 28, 2022
- 4 min read
Gratitude: The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Expressing & feeling gratitude towards someone or something external.
We've all heard of this. This isn't a new concept so, I won't go into the meaning of it but more about how it's impacted my life on a personal level.
Being grateful when you look at your day-to-day life can be difficult. There are many outside circumstances that one might think, "What do I have to be grateful for?"
Buddha said, "The mind is everything. What you think you become."
Science says that actively thinking about positive things in our lives releases hormones that are great for mood regulation.
Now, as someone who is diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety, I would fight against the idea that just thinking positively would be the answer to all my mental health struggles. It would infuriate me because I knew that this wasn't always in my control. Some days, my brain was determined to think about the negative narratives and keep my mood down for that day.
Enter, my mother. Now, that woman first is an extrovert. A positive thinker. A formidable woman who sets her mind to things and they just happen. Imagine growing up with her when I was the total opposite?
That woman wakes up each morning and even with the world of stress on her shoulders, she has an attitude of gratitude. She believes fiercely that positive outcomes await her for the day. And I have to say, she tends to have this luck and favor in life where even at the last second, things turn out for the best. She believed it and for the most part, she then sees it come to pass.
Unlocking a New Mentality Amidst the Chaos
Since the pandemic, like most people, I had a lot of self-reflection time. Within that next year, I unlocked a different level in my spirituality. While my mental health was plummeting, I was also learning ways to heal and try and center the power of my thoughts. This didn't always work. On the days I was struggling the most, I needed to be gentle with myself and accept that it was just a bad day. But the days I was feeling more in control of my thoughts, I was learning to take a deep breath in silence and list simple things to be grateful for.
I'd wake up on a good day and sit up, close my eyes, place my hand over my chest, and list, "I am grateful for this new day. I'm thankful for my space in our home, I'm grateful for coffee that's waiting for me."
Like I said, simple. That's the key. Not thinking of the grandiose world affecting things but the little things that we may take for granted most days. On days like that, I noticed how much easier it felt to start my day.
Real Talk
I'll be honest, the feeling doesn't always last but it's baby steps. It makes a difference. Science and spirituality have tons of research proving the power of gratitude. For me, personally, the last two years, it's been a positive addition to my mental self-care. When my mind wants to go to dark or apathetic places, taking a breath and finding something to be grateful for, shifts my mood. Suddenly, the heaviness lifts and it feels like cool water trickling down my body.
The world has been a mess in recent years but taking a step away from it all and going within can help us not fall into the overwhelming trap that is trying to confront things that are out of our control. Taking a few seconds every day to be grateful for the little things we do have control over has the power to shift our entire mental state.
Let's be intentional, close our eyes, take that deep breath, and count our blessings--however small. Maybe you're grateful for your soft bed, or your parents, sibling, loved one, or friend. Maybe you're grateful for warm baths, books, or cozy rainy days. Whatever it is, think it, say it out loud. Bring it to the forefront of your mind and exhale.
It's not a magic pill. It requires us to be intentional even when we're not feeling it. If possible, then especially when we're not feeling it. I say, if possible because it's also okay to not be okay some days.
One thing I had to learn was not to buy into the toxic over-positivity train that tends to leave one feeling shame and guilt that you're not enough. If you're struggling one day and can't get out of it, then be kind to yourself and rest your mind. Perhaps, you can take that moment to be grateful for having the time to take for healing. And leave it at that.
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