The Value Of Being Grateful

Reading this thought provoking book called “The Me Myth” by Andrew Griffiths reminded me of the importance of cultivating gratitude.

Andrew says:

Knowing what to be grateful about can sometimes be a stumbling block. After our loved ones and food on the table, the list often seems to end. But, when you think about it, we could spend all day every day being grateful for all the things our lives have had in it and perhaps some of the things we have been lucky enough to avoid. We might even be grateful now for some things that seemed terrible at the time yet ended up being incredible opportunities.

Sonja Lyubomirsky, a professor at the University of California and author of the “The How of Happiness” states that being grateful on a regular basis makes us feel more positive and increases the feeling of wellness.

Being grateful requires that we make the effort to pay attention to what happens to us every day and take time to reflect on that. Noticing what others do for us could easily help us change our emotional state in a few moments.

Let’s remind ourselves that emotions are a series of chemical reactions that occur within our body and can happen within fractions of seconds. These emotions, combined with our thoughts lead to feelings. Feelings are the consequence of our interpretation of the emotional reactions we experience.

Reflecting about the good things that happen to us (even the small ones) and thanking others, is a simple and inexpensive tool to keep our stress levels under control, especially in this competitive and fast paced world we live in.

My question is ... if gratitude is so important physiologically, why don’t we apply it more in our workplaces when we try to motivate and engage those who work with us? Even in our homes with our loved ones…. Perhaps it is the lack of knowledge or the pace of life that constantly haunt us ...

Research studies have also shown that those people who have been taught to be more grateful can provide better emotional support to others in need. Grateful people are more polite, energetic and attentive. Giving thanks is a skill you can learn, regardless of age, social status or other differences. For a better society, re-learn to appreciate.

I would like to express my gratitude to anyone who is reading this blog, and also thank Julie Doye for the magnificent illustration featured in this post.