WHY GRATITUDE IS IMPORTANT.

Sitting before a large crowd was an elegant and graceful lady, being asked so many questions about how she was able to live and sustain a fulfilled life. Everyone looked towards her, their keenness sprouting, they were interested in knowing this mystery. And when Oprah Winfrey’s jaws moved, her lips accentuating each word, 

“I practised being grateful,”

There was an uproar, murmurs filled the air.

“What does she mean by that? How does being grateful connect our success and rising?”

Some said, “I have always been grateful all my life, but it hasn’t gotten me anywhere,”

“She’s got everything, that’s why she can say that,”

She smiled, and continued, “I got everything because I practice being grateful.”

Oprah Winfrey chuckled, she understood their condition, she’s been there before. She took a deep breath and went ahead to shed more light on what she meant.

After her in-depth explanation, the crowd was motivated to start up their lives practising gratitude.

In this article, you will learn:

What Gratitude is?

Why should you be grateful?

Scientific facts about gratitude

Biblical truths about gratitude

How to make turn gratitude into an attitude

Oprah Winfrey’s exercise on Gratitude 

Before we dive into the benefits of Gratitude, let us discover What Gratitude means.

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is the quality of being grateful; enthusiasm to appreciate and receive kindness. It is recognizing the fact that everything good that happens in your life is a gift.

Oprah Winfrey outlined that gratitude is a spiritual practice.

It doesn’t just depict religiosity but a system that brings refreshment to your soul.

Gratitude brings you closer to your true self and gives you more clarity about who you are. It boosts your self-esteem.

“Do not waste your time desiring what other people have, remember that things that you now have are the things you once only hoped for.”

-Unknown.

Always be grateful because being grateful changes your vibration.

One of the major reasons why depression, pain and anguish keep eating deep into our society is that gratitude has gone extinct in many lives. People let their present circumstances blind them from seeing the goodness of life.

Gratitude gives you joy, happiness, and relief. It is a counterattack to pessimism, negative emotions, and suicidal thoughts. Gratitude improves your relationship with people creating a solaceful atmosphere.

These are some scientific facts about gratitude:

•  Gratitude improves your mental health.

“Expressing gratitude can positively charge your brain. It boosts dopamine and serotonin, the neurotransmitters in the brain that improves your mood immediately, giving you positive feelings of pleasure and happiness ” says Kristin Francis, a Psychiatrist.

• Gratitude reduces stress and anxiety.

Research has shown that people who are always grateful had a decrease in cortisol, the stress hormone. They had stronger cardiac functioning and were more resilient to setbacks and negative experiences.

• Gratitude also promotes your physical health. Grateful people are healthy people. Practising gratitude slows the effects of neurodegeneration and leads to reduced inflammation and lower blood pressure. Researchers have shown that when we show gratitude our body releases the oxytocin hormone that expands blood vessels, reduces blood pressure, and protects your heart.

•  People who exhibit gratitude are more likely to share with others freely, offer emotional support and assistance and forgive easily. It creates a chain reaction of positivity. Oxytocin deepens our relationships and makes us feel more connected to others. It also supports building a network of family and friends.

These are also some Biblical Truths about gratitude;

Be careful with nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 KJV

• This shows that Gratitude invites the peace of God upon us.

Col.2.7 – Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

• This shows that gratefulness is the lifestyle of a Christian.

With all these facts and benefits presented to you, tell me why you should not be grateful.

Now, you know and understand the impact of gratitude on your life, but what’s the use of knowing without the implementation of the knowledge?

5 WAYS TO TURN GRATITUDE INTO AN ATTITUDE

1. Write down three things you are grateful for every day. This gives you a different mirror for living.  You can also take a mental note of things to be grateful for before you sleep or after waking up.

2. Self Appreciation: Daily practice saying five good things about yourself, it may be awkward at first but it becomes easier as you continue. Always speak good words to yourself no matter what happens.

3. Make people feel special. Always appreciate the ones around you. You must surely have someone around you that has influenced you positively, be it family or friends. Take out time to tell and show them how much they mean to you and thank them for being there with you.

4. Find a gratitude paddy. Someone with whom you can share all your daily and weekly achievements. It can be your friend, siblings, parent, or spouse.

5. Be happy. Be proud of your little achievements, acknowledge your happiness and be grateful for the moment.

Before we proceed, let’s try this little exercise from Oprah Winfrey.

For five seconds, close your eyes.

Inhale… And exhale…

Let everything you ought to be grateful for start rising to the surface of your heart…

Then say, THANK YOU!

How do you feel now?

I bet you feel better and relieved.

The happiness and life you seek are not far-fetched. Just be thankful always and see what happens.

There are days, the only thing to be grateful for will be your breath but it is a lot to be grateful for because many are seeking it. You have to push on with life being hopeful.

So from today, make it a lifestyle to always be grateful for everything. As the Bible instructed, “In everything give God thanks…”

Did you learn something new?

Don’t keep it to yourself. Share with your friends and loved ones.

Don’t forget to follow us for more Personal Development tips and strategies on how to lead a fulfilled life.