Psychology Today has one of the best definitions of gratitude that I have seen to date. According to Psychology Today (2014) gratitude is an emotion expressing appreciation for what one has—as opposed to a consumer-oriented emphasis on what one wants or needs. This is a profound and life-changing definition. Imagine what would happen if you practiced gratitude on a daily basis. Where you exert your energy is extremely important. You can weigh yourself down by focusing on lack or you can give yourself a boost by being grateful. If you focus on being thankful for all that you have, you will be happier. You will also be much more likely to experience success. Gratitude is connected to happiness and success. For this reason, I believe that gratitude is a gift. Unfortunately, it is a gift that is often unopened. We focus so much on our weaknesses and problems, that we often forget how blessed we truly are.
What are you grateful for today? Whenever I begin to feel down, I reach into my gratitude gift basket and pull out something that I am grateful for at that very moment. Did you know that gratitude can counteract feelings of hopelessness and doubt? Visualize an obstacle or struggle that you have overcome. Thinking about a past victory helps you recognize that you have everything that you need to be successful. We often have a tendency to minimize our accomplishments. The next time that you reach a goal, take the time to congratulate yourself. If you celebrate the small victories, larger victories will follow. This week, I challenge you to write down three things that you are grateful for every night. You should do this for seven consecutive days. Writing down what you are grateful for is an excellent way to end your day. If you enjoy it, keep doing it! Until next week……
Dr. Jessica Houston
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