What's So Special about Gratitude?

By Linda McGrory Jun 18, 2008 Throughout our childhood our parents taught us to say 'thank you' and it became a habit - something we say automatically, along with 'please'. And because of this we have forgotten just how important gratitude is and how essential it is in leading fulfilled lives. So why is gratitude important? Just for a minute, think of all the things you are grateful for, such as, loving friends, partners and family, pets who love you unconditionally, good health, great holidays you’ve had, as well as everyday items such as a comfortable home, electricity, TV, fridge, and clean water when you turn on the tap. The list, in fact, could go on and on. So how does that make you feel when you think of all these things? Doesn’t it make you feel good? Now focus on events that have made you unhappy or dissatisfied – it’s raining, the car won’t start, a work colleague irritates you, you have a head cold. You start to feel grumpy and resentful, and that is something that certainly does not feel good – in fact it feels bad! So which would you prefer? To feel good? Or to feel bad? It’s a straightforward choice and we have the ability to choose how we feel. But for most of us, it just doesn’t seem as easy as that – isn’t the world out to get us? Well, no, it isn’t actually, it’s just our perception of how things are. Let me give you an example: it’s a wet, rainy day, and immediately most people will start to complain, tell everyone who will listen what a miserable day it is, with the result that they end up feeling miserable themselves. But look at it another way and despite wet clothes and hair, both will dry perfectly well and no lasting harm has been done. And in addition to this, because of rain, we not only live in a green and beautiful landscape, we are able to grow an abundance of fruit and vegetables. There really is no obvious reason for feeling miserable – in fact there is a great deal to be grateful for. It’s all to do with how we perceive things. We need to alter our perceptions – our view of how the world is and how things affect us. And if we can do that, then we can start to feel gratitude and as a consequence, start to feel good! So here are a few suggestions to help you get started: - It’s important to realise that there is a Law of Gratitude just as there is a Law of Attraction – cause and effect: the more we are grateful, the more we attract to be grateful for. - Make a list of everything you take for granted in your life, and be grateful for them – clean water, electricity, telephones, computers, transport systems, rain, health, clothes, family, friends, work. - Start looking at the good in your life – see what’s right instead of what’s wrong. - Learn to be grateful for mistakes – see them as opportunities to learn and grow. - Smile and say ‘thank you’ to as many people as you can each day – the postman, supermarket cashier, bus driver, the car driver who lets you into the queue of traffic. - Send a ‘thank you’ note to someone who has helped you, even in a small way – make this a habit and your appreciation will grow. - Take a moment to appreciate the world around you – a sunset, a flock of birds, trees, blue skies, and the fact that the sun gets up every morning! - At the end of each day make a gratitude list – a list of all the things that have happened today that have made you smile and cheered you up: write down at least five, but aim for ten. Realise that the more you concentrate on gratitude and seeing the good in everything, the more you will be surrounded and blessed with wonderful things to be grateful for. Realise what a difference having gratitude can make to your life. That’s why gratitude is so special – use it to feel good!

Author's Bio Linda McGrory is an inspirational and talented coach who has had a varied career including managing an eating disorder clinic. Linda's knowledge and expertise is self-taught, intuitive and gained by years of study, observation, practice and experience, and her particular areas of interest are in retirement coaching as well as health and nutrition. Visit Linda's website at www.LifeCoach4Success.com