Gratitude has turned into a real buzzword, hasn’t it? It seems like every mental health professional and spiritual coach are talking about gratitude–and for good reason.
Studies show gratitude enhances positive emotions and contributes to one’s overall state of being, and I couldn’t agree more. Living in a grateful state of being allows us to improve our mood, shift our perspective, and focus on what truly matters: the joys of life.
However, gratitude is something I don’t feel we actually dive into; we treat it like it’s a simple “thank you” for an act of service or being grateful we have a roof over our heads. Yes, of course we should be grateful we have a roof over our heads, but these common examples are repeated over and over, causing them to lose their meaning.
Gratitude is so much more than having an appreciation for the material things in our lives, so why do we usually focus on those? Why are our gratitude journals filled with being grateful for our home, our car, our job, our financial situation? Is this where gratitude is most helpful? I don’t think so.
Gratitude is found in the small moments
Instead of focusing on the material things or the situations I have that make me grateful, I focus on the small moments that are the true joys of life. Those are the things that will carry us throughout the decades of our lives; they are the things we will find appreciation in as we age.
Here are those small moments for me:
- A hug from my kids
- The sun shining on my face
- My puppy waking me up in the morning
- That perfect cup of chai tea with homemade tea masala (yum)
- Sitting on my porch and watching the bees amongst my flower beds, buzzing away
- A smile from a stranger
- Making someone's day by saying, "Hello", or simply acknowledging them
- A phone call from a friend
- Talking to my mum, brother, or niece
- Finding a penny or 10 cents (as Canada doesn't have pennies anymore)
How this kind of appreciation changes us
This new way of appreciation allows us to focus on the unique ways we feel gratitude, which results in being able to practice appreciation on such a deeper level. Instead of trying to be grateful for things so many others have (like shelter, food, a job, etc.), we personalize our appreciation. In turn, this taps into true gratitude because we really feel those things on a deeper level.
Find what gratitude is for you
What do those small joys of life look like for you? Can you think of certain instances where you are filled with emotions like joy, peace, happiness, and calm? Maybe it’s your morning coffee, picking up your kids from school and hearing about their day, or acquiring a new concept in your post-graduate studies.
Take some time to write those small moments out, even if it’s just on the notes section of your phone (I’d like you to start a gratitude journal soon, but we’ll save that topic for another day).
Need a little help to get where you want to be?
Finding gratitude seems like a simple task, but it can take a lot of work. However, it is one of the most rewarding things you can do for yourself. I am an expert in gratitude and a professional happiness coach, and I can help you rediscover the joys of life with ease. Let’s connect today. I also have an Instagram if you are at the beginning of your journey!
