Practicing Gratitude
The importance of practicing gratitude has many health benefits. Through the work of leading researchers like Robert Emmons and Martin Seligan, we know that this virtue is more than just saying “thank you”.
Numerous studies are demonstrating how gratitude journaling can increase one’s happiness. Others show that inflammation in one’s body can decrease. Expressing gratitude reduces stress, increases optimism and changes the brain.
What are the benefits of gratitude?
- Increased happiness and positive mood.
- More satisfaction with life.
- Less materialistic.
- Better physical health.
- Less likely to experience burnout.
- Better sleep.
- Less fatigue.
- Lower levels of cellular inflammation.
- Greater resiliency.
- Increases pro-social behaviour.
- Strengthens relationships.
“ when we take time to notice the things that go right- it means we’re getting a lot of little rewards throughout the day”
Every time a person expresses or receives gratitude, dopamine releases in the brain, a neurotransmitter is produced in 2 areas of the brain. The substantia nigra and the ventral tegmental. The former has to do with movement and speech, the later with reward. When a person expresses or receives gratitude, dopamine releases and thus making a connection between the behaviour and feeling good. The more a person practice gratitude, the more often dopamine releases.
How gratitude can change your life
Every morning upon awaking, write a gratitude journal.
There are things that we all take for granted. Almost like given truths in our lives. Whether it’s the roof over our heads, the food on our plates or the clothes on our back. We always expect those things to be there. But, for many people in the world, it’s not there. They lack the basic necessities in life: food, water, shelter along with many other things.
Gratitude can change your life, because it makes you appreciate what you have rather than what you don’t have. Gratitude can change your life because it is the single most powerful source of inspiration that any person can tap into if they simply just stop and paid attention to the simplistic beauty and miracle of life.
One of the reasons why gratitude can change your life is because it shifts your focus, life is all about focus. Whatever we focus on, we move towards. When we live in a state of lack and negativity, we see more of that. It is easy to see something in a negative way when we focus is on it. It’s easy to see all the problems and dilemmas surrounding a situation when your thinking is habitually geared towards that.
It is also easy to see things in a positive way, even when problems arise. If you have ever met a very positive person, you know just how true this statement is. Even when something goes wrong, they look for the silver lining in the situation. If they can not find one, they simply state that something good will eventually come out of whatever situation they are going through.
It’s not just about being a positive person, having gratitude can change your life because it breathes positivity into everything you are doing. It’s a monumental shift in a focus – a new way of seeing things. You move from living in a state of lack to living in a sheer abundance in every possible way.
Being grateful makes you feel happier
Studies have confirmed that having gratitude does in fact make you happier. Two Psychologists, Dr Robert Emmons from university of California and Dr Michael McCullough from university of Miami have committed to research of studying the effects of gratitude.
Gratitude transforms your faith by instilling the belief that you are not alone, and whatever it is that you are going through will pass. And on the other end, you will emerge victorious. You’ll accomplish your goals, overcome your obstacles and become a better person, one who’s empathetic to others.
As a result of all of this, you’ll seek out ways you can contribute to society and help your fellow man, woman and child. You will realise that what you have truly is enough and that the focus must become helping others. That’s when true spiritual enlightenment begins.
Gratitude gives you peace of mind
There’s an inner belief that develops when you’re truly grateful for things. It provides sound peace of mind. The kind that doesn’t exist when you live with the expectation of certain things. If you’ve ever noticed people who expect certain things out of life, or who attempt to bend the will of others for their personal advancement, you’ll find feeble-minded individuals who don’t get very far.
It all started with an attitude of gratitude that helped to instil sound peace of mind. It was from that platform that success was developed. Not through the expectation of things. Through good will, positive vibrations and the desire to add value to the world by first being grateful, no matter what.
Gratitude helps you to succeed by first creating a platform of internal success. As long as you’re happy, healthy and sound in your mind, body and spirit you can reach for your goals. Without too much external distractions. But, when you lack these things because you’re unhappy with your current state of affairs you live in that state of negativity and lack, and it’s harder to push forwards.
Create a platform of gratitude by building this habit in the morning. Interweave it into your early- morning routine by writing down, for just 5 minutes everything you have to be grateful for, no matter how small it may be, write it down and embody that feeling.
That’s how gratitude can truly change and transform your life. But it does not happen overnight.
It takes time
It is important to have a positive mindset and intentions when embarking on developing and enhancing your natural Psychic abilities. We do attract to us what we focus on.
A good way to remain in a positive mindset is to meditate and connect to your spirit team/guides on a daily basis.
Writing a journal of your experiences also helps, it allows you to keep track of your development.
Setting intentions on a daily basis where you work for the higher good is also important, it allows you to work in harmony and love with the spirit world who are present to help guide you in your development.
Written by Tracie Lissenden
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