We’ve all known advocates for adopting an attitude of gratitude. And maybe their arguments have been convincing to you, or maybe not. But with Thanksgiving at hand – a day completely dedicated to the acknowledgment of gratitude – maybe it’s worth another look. Should adopting and acknowledging gratitude be just an annual enterprise, or is it worth more attention – maybe even daily attention?
Author Ocean Robbins wrote a fascinating article about gratitude a couple of years ago (“The Neuroscience of Why Gratitude Makes us Healthier”) that argues for adopting a permanently grateful attitude for all its many benefits. Sure the world is messed-up, he admits. Yes, there are plenty of reasons to be cynical and skeptical and discouraged about the state of affairs in which we find ourselves. But all too often, Robbins argues, what we anticipate is what we get. Attitude is paramount. When we focus upon the wrongs others have done to us, for example, and suppose our next encounters will be equally fraught with disappointments, then whatever does transpire, we are likely to be looking at that outcome through distorted and pessimistic lenses. We may not be seeing as clearly as we should, and we may not be acknowledging all the good that is present.
And what does that pessimism and negativity get us? Nothing very desirable. But cultivating gratitude, on the other hand, has numerous benefits. Gratitude can positively affect our physical health, our attitude, and even our marriages. Specifically, studies have shown that gains in gratitude result in higher levels of happiness, fewer health complaints, greater willingness to exercise, better and longer periods of sleep, increased goodwill toward others, more optimism, and greater life satisfaction. In other words, when we become more grateful, things don’t just look better, they actually are better.
Robbins suggests a three part strategy for helping us improve our level of gratefulness. First, he proposes that we keep a daily gratitude journal listing several things to be grateful for from that day. Secondly, we can make it a practice to tell others in our lives what we appreciate about them each day. And finally, once a day, when we look in the mirror, we can remind ourselves of something we are proud of accomplishing or something we like about ourselves. In other words, becoming more grateful should involve noticing the goodness in our lives, expressing appreciation to others, and acknowledging our personal gifts and abilities.
What are you grateful for? Becoming clearer about that could change your life. Or as Robbins says, gratitude feels good, it’s good for you, and it’s a blessing for others around you. That makes it a win-win-win situation. This day and every day, let’s be grateful!
