What’s Gratitude Got to Do with It?
“It can be hard to see the goodness when we are living in the shadows of life. But that is when we need gratitude the most. That’s when we must go looking for it.”
Image Credit @priscilladupreez
Nearly everyone has been through at least one tough time, and more often than not, many tough times. In the midst of dark days, it may seem like they will never end. One can question how it’s possible to navigate such distressing times when the light at the end of the tunnel seems far away and dim.
During challenging times though, I wonder what role gratitude plays. For the past couple of years, I’ve been reading a lot about the importance of gratitude. I am intrigued by research documenting the concrete physical and emotional benefits of a gratitude practice and how it fosters resilience. We give more attention to being thankful in November than we typically do the rest of the year, but it would be beneficial to make gratitude a daily practice throughout the year. For example, grateful people are more likely to take care of their health, sleep better, have fewer toxic emotions, and are better able to overcome trauma.
There is a verse in I Thessalonians 5:18 that I’ve found challenging: ”In everything, give thanks.” How can anyone honestly be thankful for the hard things in life – a cancer diagnosis, dismissal from a job, a broken relationship, or a fatal accident? I’ve never been able to give thanks for those things. Is that even possible? While early on, I had a hard time coming to terms with that concept, my understanding of giving thanks has changed over the years – from giving thanks for everything to giving thanks in all things.
I’ve heard many cancer patients talk about how they were eventually able to see their cancer diagnosis as a positive because they made changes they might not otherwise have made. They became appreciative of things they previously had ignored. Others said that while they wouldn’t have chosen the pain of a difficult situation, they could look back after some time, reflect on lessons learned and realize some positives from the losses.
In James Miller’s An Affirmation for Those Who Have Lost, he says, “I believe a time of loss can be a time of learning unlike any other, and that it can teach some of life’s most valuable lessons. In the act of losing, there is something to be found. In the act of letting go, there is something to be grasped.” While his writing is related to the loss of a loved one, it’s relevant to all of our struggles. We may have lost a body part, a job, a relationship, or a loved one. We don’t have to give thanks for those things, but in those circumstances, might it be possible to be grateful – for outstanding medical care, new priorities, new opportunities, and cherished memories?
Giving thanks in good times and hard times is a self-care activity resulting in more positive emotions, reduced stress, and a more robust immune system. We can rewire our brains for more joy and less stress. Check out How to Practice Gratitude to start your gratitude practice and live your best life.