Happiness depends a lot on your frame of mind, no? Yes of course your daily circumstances play a big role in this too, but can gratefulness play a big party in your circumstances. Can you physically bring happiness to your everyday life by just being grateful?
This is something I think about a lot because it’s not always natural for me to see the positive in every situation. My brain is wired to think about what could go wrong or I’m not good enough or they’ll probably say no. This frame of mind is exhausting. So what if I changed my frame of mind? Will gratefulness bring me more good in my life, more opportunities, more everything? I think it’s time to give it a try.
According to UCLA’s Mindfulness Awareness Research Center, regularly expressing gratitude literally changes the molecular structure of the brain, keeping the gray matter functioning, and making us healthier and happier.
When you feel happiness, the central nervous system is affected. You are more peaceful, less reactive, and less resistant. And gratitude is the most effective practice for stimulating feelings of happiness. (realfarmacy.com)
Here are some great steps from realfarmacy.com and ideapod on how to becomemore grateful. I found these very useful.
Three simple steps to becoming more grateful
If you’ve only got time to say one prayer today, make it the simple words of “thank you.”
This is worth keeping in mind as you go about figuring out your daily practices and routines.
Here are three practical steps you can take to infusing routines of gratitude into your life.
1) Keep a daily journal of three things you are thankful for. This works well first thing in the morning, or just before you go to bed.
2) Make it a practice to tell a spouse, partner or friend something you appreciate about them every day.
3) Look in the mirror when you are brushing your teeth, and think about something you have done well recently or something you like about yourself.
So what are you grateful today?
kelly xx