“Be intent upon the perfection of the present day.” —William Law.
Thankfulness absolutely matters.
- A thankful heart breeds contentment. It appreciates the many gifts of life itself.
- A thankful heart promotes optimism. Optimism leads to enthusiasm and determination.
- A thankful heart brings healthy attentiveness. It finds time to slow down and count blessings.
- A thankful heart shifts the focus of attention from ourselves to others. It understands that our lives have been enriched by them.
- A thankful heart is more likely to help others. It humbly realizes it has benefited from others and as a result, is more apt to notice needs.
- A thankful heart attracts generous people and faithful friends.
- Studies have found that gratitude results in better physical health and mental awareness.
- Gratitude heightens enjoyment of the good seasons of life. And provides strength to make it through the difficult ones.
Unfortunately, gratitude can be finicky. There are seasons of life where gratitude is easy.
When your home is warm… when you are eating a delicious meal… when your child’s report card is impressive… when everything is lining up exactly as you envisioned, it’s really easy to be thankful.
But other times, it remains elusive. When the storms of life hit—as they always do—thankfulness doesn’t come so quickly.
It is hard to be thankful when your world is crashing down. And yet, those are the days we need it most—those are the seasons of life when its strength, optimism, and perspective carry us through.
But when thankfulness is most needed, it is often the most distant.
This reality is because we have mistakenly begun to consider gratitude an emotion of the heart, as just another response to our circumstance. When things are going well, it’s easy to respond with a thankful heart. But in the seasons where things are difficult, thankfulness never even enters our mind.
We would fare better if we learned to consider gratitude a discipline of the heart—one that requires attention and consistent practice.
Gratitude requires practice when it’s easy and even more practice when it’s difficult. And the more we train ourselves to that end, the more we are able to access it when we most require it.
Some helpful thoughts to spur us on in this new discipline of the heart may include: scheduling 5-minute periods of thoughtful thanksgiving each day, intentionally finding gratitude in simple joys, reflecting on the past (particularly if your current season of life is a stormy one), keeping a gratitude journal (on-paper or on-line), expressing thankfulness during life’s little inconveniences (red lights, doctor waits), or seeking the perfection of each day.
This can become a truly life-altering designation. Gratitude is, after all, a discipline, not an emotion.
max says
Wow!
This post is changing my life for the better.
Thank you thank you thank you.
So simple and profound.
I’m committed to practice gratitude.
Monica C says
Another great post! Thank you ;-)
Lisa says
Yes. I actually started a gratitude journal, requiring myself to identify at least 5 things a day for which I was grateful, following a surgery I had a few years ago that put me in a depression. This simple practice has been life altering. Thank you for writing :)
http://mydailypresents.wordpress.com/2013/04/08/magic-words/
Judith says
Every time I read these posts I instantly feel good. Thank you!
Sarah says
You mentioned two words which are rarely used in America these days…gratitude and discipline. I will try to have an attitude of gratitude today. Thanks for reminding me.
max says
Thank you Thank you Thank you. Very inspirational to incorporate gratitude in my daily life. Thanks again
Janete Canteri says
I always read your blog and I follow you in the facebook. I love your words. Keep writing and inspiring us.
Hugs!
Montecristo Travels says
Taking those 5 minutes before you fall asleep (as you fall asleep) has the added benefit of increasing the quality of your sleep. Gratitude relaxes. At the risk of sounding like a crazy dog person – a dog is the best teacher of living in the moment, being minimalistic and always having time for gratitude. :)
cara @ City Girl Chicago says
I loved this post. Along these lines, my dad taught me a mantra at a very young age I still say today. “Thanks for everything, I have no complaints. Whatsoever.” I say this every evening as I lie in bed, no matter how bad the day was, and then reflect on what I’m thankful for. I’ve found through the years this has altered my thinking in the moment too. I immediately look for the positive, or if I can’t find it, think about the big picture and how life has greater plans for us than we can imagine. I’m ok accepting that one day I may have loss, or sacrifice, or pain, but in return something else somewhere else is taking place that makes my experiences worthwhile. I believe we’re all interconnected in this way, and am grateful.
Mark says
As a person with severe Fibromyaligia, I’ve been
Forced to “take five”, and I gotta be truthful I can’t look at this with gratitude. Whenever I do
view with eyes of gratitude is usually short
lived. I understand what you are saying, but is
your column written fit only those that enjoy
perfect health. You did not say that but, from where I’m sitting it seems that way. I don’t want
to appear negative but, I’m hurting tonight,
and I’ll be damned if I can find anything that
fills me with gratitude, tomorrow I could be singing a different tune. My situation does not
make your blog any less truthful. Someone always has it worse, and someone always has it better.
Mark.
Montecristo Travels says
… do you have an understanding circle of friends? Do you have health insurance? Do you have your thoughts? Your family….? I too suffer severe health set backs but still somehow I have to agree … there is much to be grateful for. My mind is still intact – for that I am very grateful.
Meg says
Hi Mark,
I successfully treated my fibromyalgia with a supplement called Acetyl l Carnitine. It’s used by body builders to metabolise fat and works by stimulating the mitocondria of your cells. I also took up yoga and improved my diet. It was not a quick cure but the supplements made a huge difference to my pain, energy and mood.
I have recently been diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. It has uncharacteristically metastasised within my breast rather than spreading to other parts of my body. It’s possible that my fibromyalgia and corresponding slow cell activity has caused this. The condition I hated may have saved my life. Time will tell.
I am so grateful.
When the pain gets bad I am grateful that I am alive to feel it. It sure beats the alternative.
May you find your way back to good health.