Gratitude: Changing Your Perspective to the Positive

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.” -Melody Beattie

Gratitude is the most important concept to understand when living your life to the fullest potential and feeling satisfied with each and every day. When you learn to practice gratitude and appreciation for what you have, you will begin to realize the everlasting benefits associated with it. There are many different techniques and strategies that allow you to focus on gratitude and transform your mindset and perspective on life. 

What is Gratitude?
We all talk about gratitude and how it can change your life, reduce stress, and improve your overall wellbeing, but what is it really? Gratitude is defined as the appreciation for what an individual receives. It allows you to acknowledge the positives in your life and connect with something larger than yourself. It is a general state of thankfulness and that is intentional and provides tons of long-term benefits for an individual. 

Having a true understanding for what gratitude is and how it can impact your life is the first step to becoming happier and more satisfied with your life. By being grateful and seeing the potential opportunities for growth even in the most difficult situations, you are able to find inner peace and reduce chronic stress. In addition, you will not be as worried about or focused on the worst possible scenario and will be more willing to step out of your comfort zone. 

How to Practice Gratitude
There are tons of different strategies and techniques to practice gratitude and incorporate it into your daily routine. One important way to begin is by writing down the things you are grateful for. This keeps you accountable and reminds you to practice being grateful each and every day.

Start by writing down five things each day that you appreciate in your life. This trains your mind to find gratitude in the little things and be looking for ways to be thankful throughout the rest of the day. Overtime, you will realize that you are more satisfied with life and have let go of any expectations for the way that your life should go. This keeps you in control of your mind and focused on the positive.

Another way to commit to gratitude is by writing letters of gratitude to others. By thinking of the people in your life that mean the most to you and thanking them for everything they do, you will realize how much of a positive impact they have had on your life. Write them a letter reflecting on their actions, the ways they have helped you, and your appreciation for them and deliver it to them. They will feel extremely happy and recognized, and you will feel like you impacted them in a positive way. This is an important gratitude exercise that benefits you as well as the important people in your life. 

One important concept to recognize is the dependence you may have on others for happiness. Relying on others for your own satisfaction will never allow you to feel consistent peace and happiness. This also means letting go of comparing yourself to others. By replacing these feelings and expectations, you will be able to realize that becoming the best version of yourself is the most important way to feel joy at the end of each day.

Gratitude takes time and practice, but you will notice dramatic improvements regarding your perspective on life. With a grateful heart and appreciation for the little things, your outlook will be transformed, and you will naturally feel at peace with your emotions and genuinely content.