Attitude of Gratitude

“What if you woke up tomorrow with only those things you you thanked God for for today?”

Wow! Would you have a home, your spouse, your job, or even a slice of bread? The question really makes you think, doesn’t it?

In a time when society bombards us with images of things we “need”, pushing an agenda some call an attitude of entitlement, it is far more healthy – both mentally and physically – to adapt an attitude of gratitude.

Even though our lives are very busy – downright hectic – it is vital to take time to appreciate what we have. It’s mentally refreshing to focus on the things we do have rather than the things we don’t have.

Studies have shown that the basic shift in individual philosophy to regularly feeling thankful gives people an advantage by decreasing their stress levels. Robert Emmons, a psychology professor at the University of California at Davis, has been a leading researcher in this growing field, termed “positive psychology.” His research has found that those who adopt an attitude of gratitude as a permanent state of mind experience many health benefits.

According to Healthline.com, Emmons’ findings, along with those from other researchers such as Lisa Aspinwall, a psychology professor at the University of Utah, suggest that grateful people may be more likely to:

take better care of themselves physically and mentally

engage in more protective health behaviors and maintenance

get more regular exercise

eat a healthier diet

have improved mental alertness

schedule regular physical examinations with their doctor

cope better with stress and daily challenges

feel happier and more optimistic

avoid problematic physical symptoms

have stronger immune systems

maintain a brighter view of the future

If you decide that you want to cultivate a more positive psychology, starting a joy journal can help. This is a diary of things for which one is grateful. Joy journals, also called gratitude journals, are used by individuals who wish to focus their attention on the positive things in their lives.

Also, as the adage goes, “Count your blessings”. It may seem simplistic to some, but counting your blessings puts your mental focus onto the good things in your life. By intentionally focusing on the good, you are able to see the good things and appreciate them. When we choose to focus on the shortfalls and disappointments, those obscure the benefits from our field of vision.

One researcher noted that there is a correlation between those who concentrate on things and people other than themselves and those who tend toward an attitude of gratitude. He suggests that those who are more aware of the positives in their lives tend to focus their attention outside of themselves.

You may assume that those with more material possessions have more to be grateful for. However, research suggests otherwise. Edward Diener, a psychology professor at the University of Illinois, found that a high percentage of affluent people in Japan report low levels of life satisfaction, just as those living in poverty in India do. These findings suggest that it’s not how much you have, but how you feel about what you have, that makes the difference. (healthline.com)

And finally, strive to reframe situations with a positive perspective. “It’s not actually a challenging situation that is upsetting. It’s how you perceive the situation,” an author said. So rather than complaining about a situation or missed opportunity, find the upside. Remember, you have control over the way you think and how you react.

Oh, and a parting thought: Be happy for the little things, because for many of us, big things don’t come along all that often!

“And Dolores? She was grateful that her phone was back on, that her boy was home, that Alaska helped her cook and that I had kept Colonel out of her hair, that her job was steady and her coworkers were nice, that she had a place to sleep and a boy who loved her.” John Green “Looking for Alaska”