The Power of Gratitude
There is immense power in the act of developing an attitude of gratitude.
Being grateful on a daily basis has the ability to transform self-pity and discontent if we are able to let the feeling into our hearts. It is a valuable tool in enhancing our well-being.
Writing a gratitude list, helps us stay present in our lives as we take a moment to reflect on all the things that we have surrounding us that we can express gratitude for.
I am definitely a list person. My friend Linda will smile when she reads this. We used to work closely together and whenever we had a project ahead of us, I would want to plan by making preparation and ideas lists and she would want to burst into action. Somehow, we complemented each other.
So, I make gratitude lists to help me appreciate what I have in my life at any given moment.
My current list looks something like this, as I have gratitude in my heart for the following things:
My ability to slow down to retrieve myself, to heal my wounds and honour the scars.
All the times I’ve kept going despite the odds.
Every sunset I’ve had the joy to experience.
Every person who was been there for me in my hour of need. My horse-whisperers.
The unconditional love from my husband Jonny. He has stood by my side for 38 years, despite telling me at the beginning that he did love me, but I was too crazy.
The wisdom of no longer fearing what is to come.
The sheer brilliance of the Serenity prayer that offers me the ability to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Honouring all of my struggles endured and challenges faced.
For my indomitable determination, persistence and courage that has seen me through my life’s trials and tribulations and out the other side.
The gift of life I’ve been given despite myself.
Accepting myself as I am right now, good enough today in my own skin, as the teacup with the chip in it.
My ability to balance softness with strength. when I wobble with uncertainty, in this strange, strange world we inhabit.
As Helen Keller said: ‘Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.’
Gratitude helps us appreciate that even adversity has its value, as we learn to accept life on life’s terms. We can be grateful for the small accomplishments of our daily lives. And in so doing our self-esteem grows.
As we look at what we do for ourselves that makes us feel good, then we can remind ourselves to do more of these things.
Things rarely go smoothly. There are those wretched bumps in the road to be faced. Facing difficulty and finding a way to be grateful for where we are today seems to let in some air. A chance for things to improve.
Challenging times that we have faced and overcome allow us to feel grateful for the opportunities we’ve had to develop such strength and courage?
Gratitude is not all plain sailing. I’ve spent many mornings making a gratitude list and to be honest there are times when it has felt like a robotic process. I ask myself - ‘Does this list make any difference?’
The answer is a simple ‘Yes.’ The act of writing the list can make a subtle change rather than an earth-shattering epiphany. What I’ve noticed is the energy shifts slightly towards a more grateful, positive feeling for my life.
That is the reason I recommend the art of practising gratitude and making a list of all the things big and small that you can be grateful for. Making the list is a gesture towards creating some new opportunities in your life and a different way of perceiving your world.
What I do know about the life-changing power of gratitude is that it helps us become aware of our many, often simple, gifts and wonders, one step at a time, one day at a time.
Author of memoir ‘Wearing Red, One Woman’s Journey to Sanity’
Available at www.browndogbooks.uk (paperback)and www.amazon.co.uk (e-book)