Gratitude and being grateful

Gratitude:

At home here, Norm and I often discuss gratitude, and what we are grateful for. This came up again when I was in Christchurch recently and I bought a book on gratitude. I was in the Crystal People Shop in Papanui. Sadly, this lovely shop is closing for good very soon, so if you are in Christchurch and want to call in, you will need to be quick.

I bought the book while in there and have been reading through it. The theme of gratitude has been on my mind recently as we have had several unexpected small windfalls and gifts that we have been very grateful for.

Gratefulness is mindfulness, awareness, and thankfulness combined. It is also good for you.

Here comes the sciencey part.

Studies have shown that practising gratitude has mental, physical, and social benefits. With increased gratitude comes an increase in life satisfaction, happiness and positive moods, resilience, ability to sleep, immune system strength, feelings of connectedness to others, energy levels and overall physical health. The more we take time to be thankful for what we have, and who surrounds us, and our life experiences, the better we are going to feel. So, when you are actively grateful you feel better, and your mood improves.

To be grateful though, you must be aware of what to be thankful for. It is counting your blessings.

You must actually look to see what you can be thankful for.

There is always things to be grateful for, as there are always people worse off than you.

If for instance you have an old car some people have no car.

Be grateful for having a car that allows you to go and see friends and go places you want to.

If your children are playing up, be grateful for them. Some parents have lost their children.

If you are sick with a cold be grateful it is not something serious – some people have terminal illnesses.

There is always something to be grateful for.

What family members or friends do you love and get on with? You can be thankful they are in your life.  Be grateful for small things it's a beautiful sunny day and not hailing or freezing cold.

Being grateful makes your life seem brighter and more positive and contributes to your mood.

Another bigger implication is that spirit gives to grateful people.

To get more, you have to appreciate what you have now and be grateful for it.

That’s not to say what you have now is all you will ever have, but being grateful in the knowledge that more is coming.

If you have a mindset of being thankful for what you have, while still being open to more coming, it is the optimal conditions for receiving more. You wouldn’t keep giving gifts to a child who complains about your gift and throws it away or breaks them.

You are going to stop giving to that child. Why would you keep giving if the child doesn't appreciate it, the same goes with spirit.

Gratitude brings the extra gifts, - the special gifts, the “just because” or the “we appreciate you” or

the “thank you “gifts.

Gratitude sends a signal to say you are aware and thankful for everything spirit has given in your life. It opens the way to receive more gifts and opportunities for you in the future. It is appreciation thankfulness mindfulness and contentment all rolled into one. It is our “thank you” message to spirit and one that is gratefully received.