How to Unleash the Secret Powers of Gratitude

Ain’t it Awful?

There’s a natural tendency for people, especially those who grew up in an environment with complaining people, to think adults complain a lot. It’s amazing how many conversations become pity parties where people engage in what they call “Ain’t it Awful” talk. “Ain’t it awful. I was stuck in traffic! Ain’t it awful. My son didn’t make the team! Ain’t it awful. I didn’t get the job promotion!” Ain’t it awful this! Ain’t it awful that!”

This is one of the most common phenomena in psychology. This kind of attitude causes us to have a negative perspective of the people and circumstances we encounter on a daily basis. In addition, these negative thoughts will produce negative results in our lives.

A Shift in Perspective

To live a more positive and fulfilling life, I suggest a whole change of perspective. Consider all the things in your life you are truly grateful for. For instance, think of the fact you woke up this morning when many did not. Think about the fact you have a roof over your head. There’re millions of people who do not have that vital necessity. Think about the fact you have a future set before you with virtually unlimited opportunities just waiting for you to take advantage of.

No matter your current situation, you can identify good things in your life to be grateful for if you look deep enough. Even thinking about something as small as the breakfast you ate this morning or a friend you’re looking forward to seeing can have an enormous impact on how you feel on a minute to minute and day to day basis. I suggest you take some quiet time daily to record at least ten things you’re truly grateful for. In addition, take action and begin engaging with other people in a different way.

Develop the habit of practicing the Four A’s of Expressing Gratitude!

Appreciation

Take advantage of every day to thank people for what they do in the process of their daily personal and professional lives. Every time you display an attitude of gratitude towards another person a significant reaction can occur. Their self-esteem elevates. They feel valued and motivated to continue doing the things they were valued for. One of the best child building, relationship and marriage building and in general people building exercises you can do is to simply say, “Thank you!”

Approval

Give praise and approval for effort, suggestions and great ideas offered by others. Give special praise to those that go above and beyond what they’re required to do. Praise immediately, specifically and regularly. Whenever you praise someone, they experience it physically and emotionally. Their self-esteem rises, and they feel happy, satisfied and more valued. The definition of self-esteem is the degree to which a person feels himself or herself to be praiseworthy.

Admiration

Continually complement people on their traits such as punctuality, persistence, and on their accomplishments in their personal and professional lives. Every time you admire something about another person you raise their self-esteem and make them feel more significant.

Attention

Listen patiently, quietly, calmly, thoroughly without interrupting. True listeners hear and understand what’s being said to them.

The Secret Powers of Gratitude

By expressing your gratitude towards others in this way, you’ll unwittingly increase your own happiness and sense of positivity. The habit of feeling and expressing gratitude towards those around you and life, in general, can have a great impact on your own perspective of how you engage in the world.

Remember…you become what you think about most of the time. An attitude of gratitude, which is the highest way of thinking, causes you to be more sensitive to other people’s feelings and more aware of their perspectives. The more gratitude you have and express, the better and more positive your personality will be; the higher your self-esteem will be; the more respected you will feel by all people around you.

Consider this quote again, “Even in the midst of the greatest difficulties you’ll experience, you’ll always find things for which you are truly grateful.”

Over to You

I would love to hear from all of you. My question for  you is, “How do you make a point to express gratitude on a daily basis?” Leave a comment below, and I’ll follow up with you. Remember, if you want to change your future, you have to take action and take it now!