Grateful
“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”
Image Credit @gabriellefaithhenderson
I didn’t know there was a difference between being thankful and being grateful, but evidently, there is. Being thankful is contingent upon something that occurred – a situation or another’s action, a gift, or kindness. Being grateful is an attitude or way of life, focusing on what is good instead of what is missing. In other words, being thankful is a response, while being grateful is a choice.
One day out of 365 is dedicated to giving thanks. And if we’re in a generous mood, we might focus on being thankful and grateful for an entire week. However, some surprising physical and emotional changes occur when practicing gratitude becomes a daily habit.
Emotional changes that occur with an attitude of gratitude are generally more familiar – happiness, joy, connection, appreciation, positive vibes, and as a result, less depression because it’s impossible to feel gratefulness and negativity simultaneously.
What is less known are the changes that occur in the brain. Gratitude can increase neurochemicals in the brain, causing a surge of dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin resulting in the positive feelings mentioned above and increasing the capacity for closeness and connection.
There are many ways to establish a gratitude practice. Habits are formed by repetition – not by doing something one day or one week a year. Harvard researcher, Shawn Achor, recommends: “For 21 days, write down three things that happened in the previous 24 hours that you’re grateful for.” It’s essential to be specific. Rather than say, “I’m grateful for my friends,” you might say, “I’m grateful for Susan because she makes me laugh.” Rather than say, “I’m grateful for my home,” you might say, “I’m grateful for hot water in the shower.”
When going through cancer treatment or any life-altering event, it’s harder to be thankful or grateful. But it can be done in small steps – one day at a time. Each day identify one person and one thing you are grateful for and why. It takes less than a minute and can rewire your brain to focus on the positives rather than the negatives. It can become a habit, a way of life.
Psychologist Karen Young says, “There are two types of people. Those who wave thanks to people who let them in traffic and those who don’t. Each invites their response from the world. Gratitude shows that we’re good to be in a relationship with, and that we appreciate certain things, without expecting them.”
Change your life. Be thankful. Be grateful. Change ordinary opportunities into blessings and transform common days into thanksgivings.