We took some time off and went for a vacation, maybe to the mountains or to a beach. We disconnected from our everyday life and the stress that comes with it, and we enjoyed the beauty of nature and slow living.
We just sat and watched the sunset while sipping our favorite drink, soaking in the beautiful view.
In those moments, life feels really good. The stress of everyday life fades away as we enjoy the beauty around us.
But when the vacation is over and we return to our normal life, we don’t even think about the sunset.
I agree it’s not that scenic when we watch it from our home, but the sunset is always beautiful. We don’t give it much attention because it’s normal and happens every day.
Not just the sunset, there are so many things we tend to overlook amid the fast-paced and busy life we’re living today.
Just think about the very basic things like the food we eat.
From the farmers who planted the seed, millions of organisms that supported the plant growth, and the sunlight that enabled the photosynthesis process to the harvesters, cleaners, and distributors, how many lives have participated to make it consumable and reach us?
The demands of everyday life make us overlook the blessings that surround us.
Every morning the sun rises and we go about our day as if it’s just another day in life. Do we ever think that so many people around the world did not wake up to see this day?
Around 150,000 people die every single day. That’s equal to the gathering in approximately 3 football stadiums.
We don’t realize that living to see another day is an incredible gift given to us, we don’t always think about it in our busy lives.
We can either choose to be thankful and happy for each day we have, or we can let stress take over and focus on what we don’t have.
Unfortunately, most of us focus on what we don’t have, and it is one of the main reasons why we’re seeing a linear growth in mental and even physical health problems over the past couple of decades.
The harsh reality is that in today’s modern world, most days are hectic and overwhelming, and stress has become a constant companion. Amid all this, focusing on the positive side of things becomes very difficult.
No matter which country, race, or ethnicity we belong to, one thing is common among all human beings, we all want to be happy and live a successful life.
That can only happen if we live a mindful and simple life, and see the world with fresh eyes where we recognize the beauty and wonder in everything that surrounds us.
It can only happen if we develop a gratitude mindset where we approach life with openness, humility, and appreciation.
Welcome to part 2 of our “Gratitude and Positivity” series where we’ll explore practical ways to incorporate gratitude into your daily lives.
In case you missed part 1 of this series which was “What Is Gratitude And Why Is It So Important?”, here’s a brief on what is gratitude.
Table of Contents
What Is Gratitude?
Suppose you were driving to a far-off location to meet a friend, and your car broke down in the middle of nowhere.
There are no cell towers and no help around so you start walking towards the nearest town. You run out of water and the heat from the blazing sun is killing you.
You’re dying of thirst and if somebody offers you a bottle of water at that moment, tears of gratitude might flow down your eyes.
That bottle of water wouldn’t have meant much to you if you were in any other situation but in that moment of thirst, you would be enormously grateful to that person.
Gratitude is that feeling or emotion that comes from within when you’re overwhelmed by something or someone.
It doesn’t always have to be verbal, like saying “thank you” (although it’s nice to say thank you and show gratitude), it could be a feeling, a touch, a teardrop, a gesture, or an expression.
By definition, the word gratitude comes from the Latin word “gratia,” which means thankfulness. It’s all about appreciating the good things in life.
Practicing gratitude helps us see the world in a positive way and reminds us to be thankful for what we have.
When you practice gratitude, you focus on the good things instead of what you don’t have. It’s about finding happiness in everyday stuff and learning from everything that happens to you.
Gratitude helps you feel connected to the world around you and makes you appreciate life more.
And gratitude isn’t just about you, it’s about feeling connected to others and the world around you. It reminds you that we’re all part of something bigger, whether it’s nature, other people, or something spiritual.
What Are the Different Types of Gratitude?
Gratitude can manifest in different forms depending on how people experience and express gratefulness in their lives.
These different forms of gratitude cover a range of emotions and cognitive aspects that show us how rich and positive this emotion is. Let’s take a closer look at the different types of gratitude.
Gratitude as an Affective Trait
Gratitude as a trait is all about how someone naturally sees and reacts to life. People with this trait have a strong appreciation for good things no matter how big or small they are, and they find joy in everyday moments.
This trait can show up in different ways, depending on a person’s experiences. Some people might develop a strong sense of gratitude early in life, maybe because they’ve overcome big challenges or witnessed acts of kindness that left a lasting impact.
These experiences shape how they see the world and make them grateful for even the little things.
Others might work on building gratitude as a trait by practicing it regularly, no matter their age or background. This helps them stay strong in difficult times.
Gratitude as an affective trait is a deep part of one’s character and how one sees life. It helps them stay positive and appreciate what they have, no matter what’s going on around them.
Gratitude as a Mood
Gratitude as a mood is like a feeling that comes and goes throughout the day.
Unlike gratitude as a trait, which is more about how someone naturally sees the world, gratitude as a mood is about those moments when you feel super thankful and happy.
For example, you might feel gratitude as a mood when someone says something nice to you out of the blue, or when you see something really beautiful like a sunset.
These moments make you feel really happy and thankful for what’s happening right then.
Gratitude as an Emotion
Gratitude as an emotion is like a strong feeling that happens in response to something specific. It’s different from gratitude as a trait or mood because it’s intense and temporary, triggered by special moments or experiences.
For example, think about when someone you care about gives you a really thoughtful gift. In that moment, you might feel a rush of gratitude—a warm, thankful feeling that makes you feel closer to them and appreciative of what they did.
How to Practice Gratitude?
Now that we’ve looked at the different dimensions of gratitude, like how it can be a trait, a mood, or an emotion, it’s time to talk about how to actually bring more gratitude into your everyday life.
Don’t worry, you don’t need anything fancy to practice gratitude, it’s all about changing how you think and perceive things. And the more you do it, the easier and more rewarding it becomes.
1. Practicing Mindfulness for Gratitude
Practicing mindfulness is the first step towards cultivating gratitude in your everyday life. As you become mindful, you pay attention to what’s happening right now, which helps you notice and appreciate the good things around you.
From the small things at your home to the world and nature around you, you notice all the blessings in your life.
Mindfulness meditation, in particular, helps you focus on what you’re thinking, feeling, and experiencing in the moment, it helps you see and appreciate the moments of gratitude in your daily life.
Being mindful will help you take in the world around you. You start noticing small things like the warm sun on your skin, the sound of leaves in the wind, and the laughter of your friends and family.
These things might seem ordinary otherwise but when you’re mindful, they become opportunities to feel thankful and happy.
Practicing mindfulness is all about being present in the moment and feeling thankful for what’s happening right now.
It’s about enjoying every experience, no matter how simple, and finding happiness in the little things. Through mindfulness, you’ll learn to appreciate all the good around you which makes you feel happy and positive.
2. Gratitude Journaling
Writing things down has a different impact on your mind and overall outlook because you’re able to see those things from a distance.
Even though you are the one who wrote those things, seeing them from a distance makes you more aware and appreciative of them.
So the next step is to start gratitude journaling where you write down a few things you’re thankful for each day.
The other benefit of gratitude journaling is that you can revisit these pages and recall the moments of gratitude in your life so far. As you flip through those pages, you’re reminded of the blessings you’ve experienced in your life.
This creates a sustainable theme of gratefulness in your life. You can either maintain a separate gratitude journal or use your daily planner, a notebook, or a digital planner to record your gratitude reflections.
3. Express Gratitude to Others
One of the fundamental aspects of practicing gratitude is to acknowledge and appreciate the people, things, moments, and experiences that make you feel happy, peaceful, comfortable, safe, or blessed.
Whether it’s a friend, family member, coworker, or even someone you don’t know well, saying thank you will not only make them feel good, but you will also feel happier yourself.
If someone at work has helped out with something, send a simple thank-you email or post a thank-you note on their desk.
If your partner has done something to make you feel grateful, surprise them with a thoughtful gift, plan a special date, or cook them a meal to show how much you care. These little acts of gratitude will make your relationship stronger.
By regularly saying thank you to the people around you, you not only make them feel good but also create a world where kindness and appreciation are valued.
4. Create Gratitude Rituals
The next step is to create certain rituals where you take a pause and be grateful for the things you have in your life.
If you’re religious like us, you can take a moment every day, preferably in the morning, to sit at your place of worship and thank God and this universe for being so grateful to you.
Even if you’re not religious, creating a gratitude ritual can still be really meaningful. You can use meditation as a part of your gratitude ritual.
You can find a quiet spot, close your eyes, and think about all the things you’re thankful for, like the people you love or the opportunities you’ve had.
5. Spreading Gratitude Through Acts of Kindness
Showing acts of kindness is a powerful way to express gratitude and spread positivity in the world around us. When you extend kindness to others, you not only make a positive impact on their lives but also nurture your own sense of gratitude and well-being.
There are so many things we have in life that are very basic and that we take for granted like food, shelter, and health. But there are countless others who are not blessed with even these basic things. One of the ways of thanking God or this universe is to show acts of kindness to such people.
The beauty of kindness is that it has no boundaries and no set of guidelines, it can be expressed in countless ways.
It starts from the simple act of showing a genuine smile to providing whatever you can for the people in need. If you don’t have the means to provide, you can do volunteer work.
You can participate in initiatives that support social causes, environmental sustainability, or humanitarian efforts so you can contribute to the greater good and express gratitude for the blessings you have by helping those in need.
Kindness towards yourself is also an aspect of practicing gratitude. Self-care practices such as prioritizing rest, doing hobbies you enjoy, and practicing self-compassion are all acts of kindness that nurture your well-being and create a mindset of gratitude for your own health and happiness.
So, showing acts of kindness is a manifestation of gratitude in action. It’s a way of acknowledging the abundance in your life by sharing it with others and creating a more compassionate and harmonious world.
As we’ve explored the ways to practice gratitude in everyday life, let’s also set realistic expectations from practicing gratitude.
Realistic Expectations From Practicing Gratitude
By now you must have understood that gratitude is a powerful practice that can positively impact your life in profound ways, but you must approach it with realistic expectations.
While there are immediate and noticeable effects of expressing gratitude, like feeling happier and more content, the deeper benefits that we discussed in our previous blog require consistent practice over time.
Gratitude is not a quick fix or a magic pill, it’s a mindset and a practice that requires patience and persistence. Just like physical exercise strengthens your muscles over time, consistent gratitude practices gradually improve your mental and emotional health.
For example, keeping a gratitude journal may initially feel like a simple task, but its long-term effects on your mental health, outlook on life, and relationships are more profound and meaningful.
Similarly, expressing gratitude to others may brighten someone’s day immediately, but its impact on strengthening social bonds and fostering positive interactions evolves gradually.
While you may not see drastic changes overnight, gratitude as a daily practice develops a positive mindset that significantly improves your overall well-being.
Moreover, realistic expectations from practicing gratitude also include understanding that challenges and setbacks are a part of life.
Gratitude doesn’t eliminate difficulties but creates a mindset that helps you navigate challenges with optimism.
Wrapping Up – How You Can Practice Gratitude Everyday
Gratitude is a very strong emotion that can change your outlook on life. While there will be challenges and stress in life, practicing gratitude every day will shift your focus towards the abundance of good things that surround you.
As we discussed in our last blog, the fact that we are alive on this beautiful planet is an incredible blessing.
Incorporating gratitude into your daily life is a simple yet powerful practice, and through the ways we’ve discussed in this blog, you can cultivate a habit of gratitude that will shape your perspective and approach to life.
Over time, this practice of gratitude will evolve from an emotion to a trait, and gratitude will become an integral part of who you are and how you interact with the world.
When gratitude becomes a trait, you naturally approach challenges, relationships, and experiences with a sense of appreciation and abundance.
So, why wait? Start your gratitude journey today. Take a moment each day to pause, reflect, and acknowledge the blessings in your life.
As you consistently practice gratitude, you’ll find that this simple emotion has the power to bring joy and a deep sense of fulfillment into every aspect of your life. Namaste!
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