Gratitude, what’s it all about ?

 “Gratitude is a way for people to appreciate what they have instead of always reaching for something new in the hopes it will make them happier, or thinking they can’t feel satisfied until every physical and material need is met. Gratitude helps people refocus on what they have instead of what they lack”   

www.health.harvard.edu

And really that is what it’s all about !!

I love thinking of all the things I am grateful for, first thing in the morning because it really starts the day off in positivity to make it a GREAT day.  Initially when I started, I had my little notebook and wrote everything down, and this may well become my New Years Resolution again but mostly, I will now do it in bed, in my head, before I get up.  Having said that, during the day I might come across something that makes me envious (like someone in Dublin winning the lotto !) and I have to stop myself and say “you know Catherine, you have a lovely warm house to live in, a loving family, you have it all !!”

Hopping out of bed in the morning in the hopes of sitting down to do your Gratitude Diary sometimes doesn’t work as you very swiftly find yourself pulled in every direction, things to do, people to see, dogs and children needing to be fed, lunches to be made.  And it goes on and on !

Night time is a great time to sit and contemplate all the great things that happened during the day and to give thanks.  You may find that you have time to get the diary out and write everything down at this point.  Start each line with “Today I am grateful for……..”

My Gratitude Routine

Firstly I will take about 10 very deep breaths to put me in the zone.

Then I use my 10 fingers to count 10 things I am grateful for, and I give thanks for each and every one of them.  I also like to look inside and include some of the great personal qualities I have.

Benefits of Practising Gratitude

• Protection from stress and depression
• We sleep better and so have less fatigue
• Encourages us to develop patience, humility and wisdom
• It strengthens our relationships
• Increases job satisfaction

And one other thing, if you feel the practice of gratitude isn’t the right thing for you at this moment of time, it may work for you at a future date !