Gratitude, a small but powerful practice
I a technology enthusiast with keen interest in web development and web design. I have passion in User Experience design. I am also a React Native developer I love communities and the growth that comes from it. I am interested in teaching and sharing my knowledge with others
The Cambridge dictionary defines gratitude as “a strong feeling of appreciation to someone or something for what the person has done to help you”.
I however see gratitude as the act of appreciation. Whether it is appreciating yourself, or someone else, or even a religious deity.
Many underestimate the power of gratitude. Gratitude is a practice or skill like any other. However, it does not seem glamourous and flashy as the other skills we have or admire and wish to have. Gratitude is a small but powerful practice that can change every aspect of your life.
We live in trying times right now. With the pandemic, inflation of prices, our daily struggles and strive to get better. The world is full of negative stuff happening. We get bombarded every day with negative stuff, from the news we watch to the events happening around us and even to the hardship and struggles we face.
All these occurrences make us feel tired, depressed, feel powerless, and even useless. Therefore, we need to increase our ways of self-appreciation just not to engage unconsciously in self-destructive behaviors.
One great way to increase the level of appreciation in your life is by practicing gratitude.
Why practice gratitude
Gratitude helps us identify abundance in our life. It helps you see all the successes in your life, it helps you look at the positive side of life.
Let’s be honest with each other, there are days when you feel the whole world around you is dark and you will see nothing to be grateful for but there is always that small speck of light. This is light gives you hope, courage, and strength to keep moving. It is this glimmer of hope that creates a positive energy around your life and those in it.
Happiness doesn't lead to gratitude, gratitude leads to happiness
David Arrendale
Gratitude is strongly tied to self-reflection. When something happens during the day that makes you smile and brings you joy, stop at that very moment and show gratitude for it.
How to start practicing gratitude
1. Start your day with gratitude. Every morning when you wake up, write three things that you are grateful for in a journal. Start your day with a feeling of joy and gratitude before you face the chaos and challenges of the day.
2. End your day with gratitude. After a tiring day, practice gratitude by also taking time to self-reflect on your day and write another three amazing things that happened during the day that you are grateful for. This will help keep you hopeful for tomorrow and the future.
Final Remarks
Our minds are always heavily biased to recognize and focus on the negative side of things, so it may be hard at times to recognize the things to be grateful for. But if you keep on practicing gratitude, as any skill, improving day in and day out, we will fight the negative bias in our mind and you will see the abundance in your life, even at times of scarcity.
Even as we approach the Thanksgiving holidays, self-reflect and make a conscious effort to practice gratitude and see the abundance that is always in your life.
