This post is the second part of a series titled “Attitude Of Gratitude.” If you’ve not already done so, we suggest you first read part one, as it provides information about what gratitude is and why it’s so important. Please click here to view that post: [Link]
How can I be more grateful?
There are many techniques and methods that will allow you to be in a state of gratitude on a regular basis. At Above & Beyond Acupuncture we assign some patients “gratitude homework.” This is a daily assignment that entails writing about something for which the patient is grateful. The first part of the assignment is to focus on something in the external environment—a person, place or thing. After two weeks, the second part of the exercise begins. The focus now shifts toward the internal environment. Patients are instructed to focus on what they are grateful for about themselves. Spending time thinking about—and being grateful for—their skills, traits and personality allows for a deeper sense of appreciation of who they are.
Expressing gratitude is a very effective tool when trying to lead a more grateful existence. When a person sincerely and wholeheartedly tells another person how much they appreciate and are thankful for them, it brings positive feelings to both the sender and the recipient. This can create a cascading effect where the recipient will be in such a deep state of gratitude that they will then express their feelings to someone in their life—thereby creating a stream of positivity that can go on and on. If there are people in your life for whom you are grateful, take the time to let them know. A good goal to set is to give at least one compliment daily for thirty days in a row. It can be a compliment about anything to anyone. Just be sure that it gets accomplished every day. Expressing gratitude will put you in a state of gratitude. It’s as simple as that.
Watching your words is an important tool when learning to be more grateful. By using words that are positive, uplifting and enlightening, you will feel better. You then eliminate words that are negative, constricting and harmful. Those words create unnecessary stress. This is especially key when describing your life and the people who surround you. In a previous blog post titled “Watch Your Words,” we discussed why it’s so important to watch the words you use. If you’ve been using words that need to be improved, this is an important article to read.
When you find yourself in a situation that is unpleasant or uncomfortable, you can take a moment to ask yourself what can be learned from it. By taking this approach (instead of avoiding it or becoming adverse), you can look for what to be grateful for. These situations can become valuable lessons in helping you grow. All that is required is a shift of perspective. Being grateful for the challenges in your life is as important as being grateful for the things that make you happy. Both serve your greatest good, providing useful experience and knowledge.
These are only a few ways to become more grateful; the full list is endless. If you’re interested in learning more, please get in touch with the practitioners at Above & Beyond Acupuncture. We are here to help.
