The Magical Power of Gratitude

One of my favorite newspaper editorial columnists was Warren T. Brookes, who passed away quite some time ago. Once he wrote a column published on Thanksgiving Day titled “The Power of Thanksgiving”. In that column he observed, “There seems to be a metaphysical law that just as the appearance of good in our lives elicits gratitude, gratitude itself, unconditional and pure, seems to elicit more good.”

 The Transformative Power of Gratitude

• Attracts Positivity: The practice of gratitude creates a frequency that attracts positive experiences and people into your life. There's a sense of joy that comes from appreciating what you have, rather than fixating on what's missing.
• Improves Mental Health: I've found that gratitude acts as a buffer against negative emotions. It's hard to feel envious or resentful when you are genuinely thankful for the blessings in your life.
• Fosters Resilience: Gratitude fosters resilience when you are experiencing difficult challenges and/or negative emotions.

Express "Thanks" to Others: Get in the habit of saying “thank you” to people. Write “thank you” notes when you can. I make it a point to verbally acknowledge and appreciate the people who make a difference in my life, no matter how small their gesture might seem.

While I live by this philosophy and often experience its awesome power, I admit, there are times when I lose sight of this practice. Sometimes, when I perceive life's monotony or challenges become overwhelming, I find myself slipping into a rut, where gratitude seems like a distant memory. This descent is subtle; I stop noticing the beauty around me, I take my blessings for granted, and before I know it, I'm entrenched in negativity. 

Climbing out of this pit requires a conscious effort and considerable willpower. The decision to shift one's perspective back to one of gratitude is a choice that demands both courage and strength, especially when faced with adversity or the addiction to negativity in your life. Those who know me well know that I will, from time to time, remind people that “we count our blessings.” It serves as a mantra for me.

 How to Regain a Grateful Perspective

• Acknowledging the Rut: The first step is always to acknowledge that you’ve lost your way. And that’s okay.  Observing the rut is half the batter. It's can be a difficult admission, but a necessary one.
• Breathe: There is so much power and awareness in our breathe. Take a few moments to deeply inhale and exhale through your nostrils. That will create the space for you to make a choice to regain your attitude of gratitude.
• Small Steps: Remind yourself to start small, celebrating the tiny victories or simple pleasures and build up your momentum of gratitude.

The Role of Willpower

Willpower plays a pivotal role in this journey. You simply must will your way to gratitude in tough times.

• Choice: It’s really a choice. Each day, make the choice to be grateful. It's a deliberate decision, one that you must renew each day preferably at the start of your day.
• Discipline: Develop a habit of gratitude rituals even when you don’t feel like it or especially when you don’t feel like it. Here are some examples of such habits: acknowledging the good that happens in your life (no matter how small), reflecting at the end of your day things or events to be grateful for, journaling or meditation or other rituals you can create for yourself.  
• Forgiveness: Learn to forgive myself when you lack gratitude or when you self-deprecate. This self-compassion is often the catalyst that can return you to a grateful state of mind.

Finally, find grace in the mundane – the warm sunlight on your face (I love acknowledging the Sun and the Moon), find ways to bring more laughter into your life, learn your love language, etc. It's these small, everyday blessings that weave the rich tapestry of a contented life.

There is a saying that is something to effect that those who don’t believe in magic will never find it. That also applies to the magic of gratitude and how it can transform your life. Find it. Don't lose it. If you do lose it, that's alright, get it back.