ratitude for the gift of life is the primary wellspring of all religions, the hallmark of the mystic, the source of all true art. Yet we so easily take this gift for granted. There is much talk these days about gratitude. There are journals you can purchase, meditations you can try to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Society as a whole for the past few years was more concerned with achievement and entitlement. Gratitude is movement for all of us to be conscious and aware, not just in our families and friends, but out in the world.
According to this research, gratitude helps us “find, remind, and bind”… essentially, it helps us find whom we can trust; it solidifies the bonds we have with our loved ones; and it reminds us that we have someone valuable we can count on… all of which can enhance our physical and mental health.
My response is that not only will a grateful attitude help—it is essential. In fact, it is precisely under crisis conditions when we have the most to gain by a grateful perspective on life. In the face of demoralization, gratitude has the power to energize. In the face of brokenness, gratitude has the power to heal. In the face of despair, gratitude has the power to bring hope. In other words, gratitude can help us cope with hard times.
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_can_help_you_through_hard_times
So many spiritual traditions begin with thanksgiving, to remind us that for all our woes and worries, our existence itself is an unearned benefaction, which we could never of ourselves create. https://grateful.org/resource/healing-begins-with-gratitude/
It’s been one of my driving ideas for wellness, and I spoke a bit about it in my book, https://www.amazon.com/Energi4U-Program-Turning-Condition-Superpower/dp/1665572701 and on my blog, https://energi4u.com/. I firmly believe that gratitude has the power to change lives for the better.
Here’s some thoughts from Psychology Today:
I Hear You 7 Tips for Getting Through Difficult Conversations
All relationship conflicts are caused by interaction effects, not by one person or the other.
- During a Big Talk, be sure to communicate purposefully; offer solutions and don’t blame.
- Listening is the most important strategy in difficult conversations, so use empathy and consider the other person’s perspective.
No matter what the purpose of the upcoming Big Talk, some things don’t change, and some communication strategies can almost always help. Here are seven basic ideas, elaborated where possible, about how to keep your difficult conversations open, clear, directed, and productive.
- Have a goal in mind.
- Use a non-blaming communication style.
- Recognize that complex, interpersonal problems have complex, interpersonal causes.
- Accept criticism if it’s on-topic.
- Phrase requests toward the positive.
- Don’t feel the need for total victory.
- Don’t forget to listen.
Alison Wood Brooks, an associate professor at Harvard Business School adds that intent isn’t just about the other person’s actions. It’s also about your own intentions. Ask yourself: What is my goal in reaching out to this person to have a conversation? If your aim is to create some type of change in another person and to get your point across, then you need to remember that even in the heat of the moment, Brooks explains. Advocating for a more humane world that’s built on care and respect is not easy, and you ultimately have little control over how others respond to you. But even if your attempts to engage another person are not always successful, remind yourself that you made a wholehearted effort, and that’s what counts. In the end, the key to changing minds and behaviors is patience — you must give it time.
https://hbr.org/2023/05/how-to-have-difficult-conversations-without-burning-bridges
Gratitude is more than being upbeat. Once you’ve noticed something worth celebrating, you need to recognize that you didn’t earn, deserve, or create it. Gratitude invites us to think about a source. The source could be a supreme being, a friend or neighbor, humanity or your dog. You may not be specific but understand that goodness can come from outside you. If you can remember this, you may develop an ongoing sense of being immersed in unconditional goodness. You can feel that life is a gift. That attitude is great for your body, mental health and relationships. Having more gratitude may boost immunity, lower blood pressure, improve sleep and boost self-esteem.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/open-gently/202409/how-gratitude-is-good-for-you
Gratitude may have the power to rewire the brain, possibly by reinforcing positive neural pathways and diminishing the prominence of negative thoughts. This rewiring could possibly occur through a process called neuroplasticity, where the brain changes in response to experiences. Regular practice of gratitude may strengthen the connections in the areas of the brain associated with positive emotions and weaken those tied to negative emotions, possibly leading to a more optimistic and resilient mindset.
What are the 3 types of gratitude?
- Gratitude for people: Being thankful for the people in your life, like family, friends, colleagues, or even strangers who have helped you or left a positive impact
- Gratitude for things: Appreciating material possessions, comforts, or conveniences that enhance your life
- Gratitude for experiences: Valuing the experiences you’ve had, from simple pleasures to major life events, and the lessons they’ve taught you
Practicing gratitude when I was at my lowest both mentally and physically was a game changer for my well-being. Although it can be easier said than done, I want to provide some ways to help you get started. So today I would like to share how you too can practice gratitude in hard times based on what helped me through my most difficult battle yet.
- Acknowledge and feel your feelings
- Practice mindfulness and living in the present
- Start a gratitude journal
- Find gratitude in the lesson
- Identify the silver lining
- Be grateful for health practitioners and healers
- Confide in someone you trust
- Connect with God for support
Finding gratitude is a personal journey that can take time. Be patient with yourself and allow yourself to feel the full range of emotions as you navigate your healing process.
Unfortunately, some people may find themselves in a situation where they cannot find things to be grateful for at this time. They may be in unsafe environments or endangered circumstances. If your safety is at risk, please reach out to someone for help.
For anyone who is suffering any kind of loss or trauma, I am sending you a huge burst of love and light at this very moment!
https://www.elevateradiate.com/post/gratitude-8-ways-to-practice-gratitude-in-difficult-times
“What would be possible if we lead with LOVE instead of fear? “
To answer that question, I recently joined a workshop,” Gratitude Based Learning” by Adam Fishman, Co- Founder of Onora. I experienced immediate results in my communications. I would like to conclude with a call to action and this is what he shared:
“Learning to communicate with gratitude can transform your relationships, whether you’re an executive, manager, sports coach, teacher, parent, or relative.
Want to learn how? Attending a Gratitude-Based Learning workshop or training is a great place to start! These sessions teach you how to lead with appreciation and curiosity, helping you create stronger teams, deeper connections, and more supportive environments. Ready to take the next step? Learn more or schedule a training at https://www.onoraglobal.com/lab today!