Gratitude is a powerful and transformative practice that can provide solace and balance in the face of daily news that is often filled with distressing events. Gratitude reminds us to appreciate the simple joys, the kindness of others, and the everyday blessings we might overlook in the business of our days. It doesn't dismiss or ignore the very real challenges we face, but it allows us to find light in the darkness. It can be a beacon of hope amidst tragedy and turmoil, offering a sense of perspective and resilience. Even in the midst of terrible things happening in the world, practicing gratitude remains essential as a daily anchor, helping us to stay centered, empathetic, and hopeful in our pursuit of positive change.
The research on gratitude is compelling. It can help us overcome the negative bias that is hard-wired in all of us (this survival instinct is a natural tendency to register negative stimuli more easily than positive). Over time, scientists have proven again and again that we *can* train our brains to focus more on the positive. Additionally, when practicing gratitude, our brains release two feel-good chemicals that positively affect mood, willpower and motivation.
Brené Brown says that we all have an immense capacity for joy. Those of us who really lean into it share one thing in common –- gratitude. More than just thinking about something we are grateful for, she instructs us to say it outloud or write it down. Brené goes on to reference moments of vulnerability which we have all had – is that feeling of a quiver in our voice with a swell of powerful emotions right behind it. Our bodies can react in two ways: some of us start “dress-rehearsing terror.” On the flip side, we can try completing this sentence out loud: “I’m so grateful for ___.” This life-changing shift, she says, allows us to better and more fully experience joy.
Let’s be extra intentional with our gratitude practice this month. Join A Mindful Line each week for an inspirational quote that will be your prompt for discovering a moment of gratitude for the seven days that follow. Together, we can invite gratitude to be a beacon of hope amidst the chaos of our world, and use this practice to help us stay centered, empathetic, and hopeful in our pursuit of positive change.
Register here and start today! We can’t wait to hear about all the ways you cultivate gratitude this month. Please tag us with your inspiration @AMindfulLine and #AMindfulLineGratitude on social media so that we can all inspire each other.
Commentaires