Gratitude: The cozy blanket to renewing our mind
There's a famous quote by Melodie Beattie that says, "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity..."
At the beginning of this year we chatted about instead of setting a bunch of unattainable or unsustainable goals for ourselves, we would focus on a resetting of our mindset. Intentionally seeking the good in our daily lives to quiet those negative thoughts that try to spin us into depressive, self-defeating states.
How are you doing with that?
No really, how are you doing with this? I thought that since we’re about a quarter of the way through 2024, it might be a good time for a reminder and a check-in. I hope you are feeling a sense of positivity and focusing on good things. Those things that bring you joy, instead of the thought patterns that bring us despair of what now and what if.
It’s so easy to underestimate the power of gratitude in our lives. We get caught up in the daily hustle and bustle, the stresses and challenges, and forget to take a step back and appreciate all the blessings and abundance around us. Remember : Practicing gratitude can have a profound impact on our mindset and overall well-being. As well as a deeper relationship with our Creator.
One of the first things gratitude does is it resets our mindset. When we focus on what we don't have or what's going wrong in our lives, we tend to get stuck in a negative and self-defeating mindset. Therefore, finding more of it! But when we shift our focus to what we are thankful for, we begin to see things in a more positive light. This helps us to let go of negative thoughts and feelings and make room for positivity and growth.
One simple and effective way to cultivate gratitude is through journaling. Taking a few minutes every day to write down things we are grateful for can have a significant impact on our mindset. It allows us to reflect on the positive aspects of our lives, no matter how big or small, and shift our viewpoint from one of lack to one of abundance. Write it down, bring the thing you’re grateful for back into your memory and let those feelings flow through you. Sit with it for a moment, express this gratitude to God for His goodness to you.
If you're new to the concept of gratitude journaling, it might feel a little overwhelming at first. That's where a gratitude journal can come in handy. The printables in my store provide prompts and spaces to jot down your thoughts and gratitude reflections, making it easier to get started and stay consistent with the practice. You can shop them here.
At this point, you may be wondering, is there any evidence to support the effects of gratitude? Well, research has shown that practicing gratitude leads to a more positive mindset, improved relationships, better physical and mental health, and increased resilience. And who doesn't want all of that?
If you're ready to make gratitude a daily habit, check out our gratitude journal printable for sale. It's a great tool to help you start and maintain a gratitude practice and reap the countless benefits it offers. And remember, gratitude is not just for the good times; it can also help us navigate through the challenging moments with grace and resilience.
So let's take a moment to reflect on all the things we have to be grateful for today. They may be big things like our health and loved ones, or small things like a hot cup of coffee or a beautiful sunset or even a prayer you considered unanswered that you find was a blessing in disguise! Gratitude allows us to see the beauty in every moment and brings a sense of contentment and happiness into our lives.
In the words of Eckhart Tolle, "Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance." So let's make gratitude a daily practice and see how it transforms our mindset, attitude, and overall well-being. Let's unlock the fullness of life and see it for what it truly is, a beautiful and abundant journey.
Photo Credit: https://camillestyles.com/
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