The Power of Gratitude

Many years ago Oprah Winfrey spoke about her gratitude journal on the Oprah Winfrey show.  It was the first time I had ever heard of such a thing. She shared the deep effect writing in it had on her and her life.  Oprah said at the end of each day she writes down the 5 things that she was most grateful for today.  She felt it was powerful to write in her gratitude journal at the end of the day so she could reflect on her blessings. She also believed the act of writing in her journal daily was working to program her mind to look for things even the smallest things, to be grateful for.  She challenged the audience and her devoted fans (me being one of them) to keep a daily gratitude journal. 

After that episode was over, I remember turning off the TV and thinking what a great idea that was. A gratitude journal. I agreed that feeling and expressing gratitude had the power to positively change your life. The crazy thing is, as much as I love and respect Oprah, I did not take her advice! I felt that I did not need to write down my feelings every day. I practice gratitude readily and happily all the time. I don't need to write it down! Writing it down would not a make a difference for me. That exercise must be for people who need a mindset change.

If I say thank you once, I must say it about a thousand times a day.  I speak it out loud, I say it silently, I am mindful of it, I am grateful.  Therefore, I had myself convinced that I did not need to actually write any of those grateful thoughts down in a book!  I had it all in my mind, I was feeling it each and every day, wasn't that enough? 

Then one day, recently, I realized ...maybe it is not enough to just think it.  Maybe there would be a benefit to writing down my gratitude each day.  So, I tried it.  And I have to tell you in just a couple of weeks I think I am more focused, more energetic and more aware of doing the right things to be more positive.  Why?  Because the act of writing down why I am grateful every day helps to connect me to those feelings more.  And the simple fact that it is recorded in a journal allows me to revisit those previous feelings whenever I want and that re-connects me to the way I was feeling when I wrote it in my journal. 

All of which can makes us feel more and more grateful for each day and its blessings.  It is a very humbling feeling and it will raise your happiness level. Gratitude is the highest vibration we can experience energetically.

Why should the simple act of writing down who and what we are grateful for each day make such a big difference in your life?

Just a few reasons: 

• Because it reminds you of the positive things in your life. It makes you happy about the people in your life, whether they’re loved ones or just a stranger you met who was kind to you in some way.

• Because it turns bad things into good things. Life is not easy and it can be full of challenges. Stuck at home right now? Be grateful you have a warm place to sleep at night. Be grateful you have challenges, and that life isn’t empty or boring. Be grateful that you can learn from these challenges. Be thankful for the challenges for they will make you a stronger person.

• Because it reminds you of what’s important. It’s hard to complain about the little things when you give thanks that your children are alive and healthy. It’s hard to get stressed out over paying bills when you are grateful there is a roof over your head.

• Because it reminds you to thank others. The simple act of saying “thank you” to someone can make a big difference in that person’s life. Calling them, emailing them, stopping by to say thank you or I am thinking of you … just taking that minute out of your life to tell them why you are grateful toward them is important to them. People like being appreciated for who they are and what they do. It costs you little, but makes someone else happy. And making someone else happy will make you happy.

What do I give thanks for, privately, in my little gratitude session? It varies every day.  Personally, I thank God first.  I thank Him for his blessings, his mercy and his direction in my life.  I am grateful for my loved ones.  My family and friends.  I am grateful to do what I love each and every day.  I am thankful for my career, the people around me and the experiences I get to enjoy.  Sometimes, I am just thankful for the good cup of coffee I had to start my day!  

How to Live a Life of Gratitude If you’re interested in living a life of gratitude, here are some suggestions:

• Morning gratitude session.  Before your feet even hit the floor ...take even just one minute each morning to give thanks, to whoever or whatever you’re grateful for. You don’t have to do anything, other than close your eyes and silently give thanks. This one act can make a huge difference in your day and in your life.

• Say thank you. When someone does something nice for you, however small, try to remember to say thank you. Appreciate the service people provide you.

• Call to say thanks. Sometimes you might think about something nice that someone did for you. Perhaps you remember during your gratitude session. When you do, pick up the phone and call the person, just to say thanks. Let them know what they did that you’re grateful for, and why you appreciate it.

• Give thanks for “negative” things in your life. There’s always two ways to look at something.  Many times when we think of something as negative — it’s stressful, harmful, sad, unfortunate, difficult, etc.  And at the time, it might be just that.  But if you can believe that the blessing is on its way, is it possible, that the same experience can then be looked at in a more positive way?  There is often a gift or a lesson that comes of it.  Be grateful to have had the opportunity to be changed or transformed.   Problems and challenges often become opportunities to grow, to be creative and become stronger and wiser.

• Keep a gratitude journal.  Choose a journal or notebook for the sole purpose of recording the 5 things that you were most grateful for each day.   Keep it on the table by the side of your bed and do this before you go to sleep.  You may have your best night's sleep! 

Let me leave you with a prayer of gratitude that I’ve always found … well, perfect. 

Be Thankful Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire, If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary Because it means you’ve made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings. ~ Author Unknown ~