Practicing Gratitude
May 16, 2020
By Jenna Richardson, LPC
The art of practicing gratitude is extremely important with what is going on in the world today. COVID-19 has completely halted everything in our lives to the point where some don’t know what their next steps will be. I know it can be a scary time for many and sometimes the last thing we want to do is focus on something positive. But if we don’t focus on something bigger, the world could really seem like a dark place. COVID-19 has really put things into perspective for majority of us and many are realizing the need to focus on the positive. By practicing gratitude on a daily basis, you are allowing your brain to recognize and naturally gravitate towards positivity. It may not change your circumstances, but practicing gratitude regularly can improve your mood and resiliency.
What is gratitude? Gratitude is the art of recognizing and expressing the things you are grateful for. And, it is an important discipline to practice on a daily basis. The way I like to express gratitude is to write down 3 things at the end of the day that I am grateful for. Writing things down at the end of the day not only allows you to reflect on your day, but also to see the day as a whole.
Another way to express gratitude is by taking the time to share what you are grateful for to someone close to you. The practice of communicating gratitude to someone close to you increases emotional intimacy by inviting them into your mind and heart, and can be a source of encouragement to them, as well.
Gratitude can also be expressed through acts of kindness, generosity and by helping others. Showing kindness towards another, even to someone you don’t know, can go a long way in a stranger’s world. We often don’t know what others are going through, and a simple act of kindness, help or generosity can encourage another who may be struggling to find gratitude or even strength, within themselves.
In difficult times, gratitude might not come naturally or easily, but the benefits of shifting our focus towards the positive things in life are very clear. This small shift in thinking, leads us to form deeper appreciation of the important aspects and people in our lives, while sometimes blessing and encouraging others, as well. It is gratitude that can sustain us during a crisis or a difficult season, but it also gratitude that encourages us to fully appreciate the good and important things in life.
Jenna Richardson, LPC, is a staff clinician at Transforming Life Counseling Center
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