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It’s that time of the year when we sit back and try to reconcile the last 350-odd days. How did the year go? Did we do our best? Did we achieve what we had expected? It is common to feel that the year could have been better because our mind is an expert at focusing on negatives rather than positives. We easily remember anything below expectations and need help remembering moments where we stood our ground and did well. Feeling grateful is the key to overcoming this tendency and looking for the tiniest joys and positives.

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is an emotion that refers to the appreciation and thankfulness we feel for the good things that we have or that happen to us. It is a positive emotion that can profoundly impact our well-being and overall satisfaction with life. 

Suppose you step out, and the rain starts pouring down; you don’t have an umbrella. You rush to take shelter in a nearby corner and notice the sun shining behind the dark clouds. You admire the sunlight brimming through the rain and feel lucky to witness this magic. Alternatively, you could have started sulking and cursing the rain gods or blamed your lousy luck. You looked at the positive aspect of the situation means you chose to look beyond problems and feel grateful. 

Some of us are born optimists, thanks to genetics and life experiences. While others aren’t, the good news is we all can learn to be grateful with practice. Once we realize the benefits of gratitude in our lives, we can’t ignore it.

Why Is Feeling Grateful Essential?

There are many reasons why gratitude is essential in life. First and foremost, it helps us focus on our lives positive aspects rather than dwelling on the negative. When we feel grateful, we are more likely to see the good things in our lives and to appreciate the people and circumstances that bring joy and meaning to our lives. Being grateful can help us feel more positive and hopeful, even while facing challenges and difficulties.

Another reason gratitude is important is that it can strengthen our relationships with others. When we express gratitude to others, we value their contributions and role in our lives. Hence, expressing gratitude towards others can deepen the bonds of friendship and build stronger, more positive relationships. 

Gratitude can also have a positive impact on our physical health. Research has shown that people who regularly practice gratitude tend to have lower blood pressure, stronger immune systems, and a lower risk of developing depression and anxiety. Gratitude helps reduce stress and improve sleep, which is vital for overall physical and emotional health.

The benefits of gratitude aren’t limited to a personal level; they branch to every aspect of our lives, including work-life. The studies prove that gratitude helps decision-making, productivity, and employee retention. More than 50% of employees would love to stay with an organization longer, only if their bosses appreciate their work.

How to Practice Gratitude?

Teaching our minds to be grateful is an ongoing process. Since we forget positive experiences rather quickly, we must find ways to store them.

• Write journals – Keep a diary and note down good experiences and gestures. Similar to what you do at your workplace so that you can get a good raise during yearly appraisals. 
• Take photographs – We all love to flip through old pictures and feel nostalgic. Have you noticed how looking at old photos makes you smile? No wonder FB memories make Facebook still relevant. One image can be equivalent to 10 pages of a journal. It’s a fact that our minds can retain visuals much longer.
• Express your gratitude – Make a point to say thank you more often. Written notes are even better. A thank you note or card can make someone’s day special. Not to mention you also feel great when you express your feeling of gratitude. In addition, don’t forget to thank yourself from time to time. Self-gratitude is also important.

These are a few ways to practice gratitude and eventually make it a way of life. These practices will help when you are going through a rough patch in life. 

Remember, feeling grateful doesn’t mean focusing only on the positives and ignoring things that are not perfect. You still tackle life problems, but more effectively, without being paralyzed by negativity. Having a positive outlook can save you from trying too hard and focusing only on issues that truly matter.

Learning to feel grateful is the first step towards living in an emotionally rich society, where people appreciate more than complain and stand firm in supporting each other.

~ Gaurav Sinha

Wrapping Up!

Overall, gratitude is an important emotion that can bring a sense of joy and fulfillment to our lives. Focusing on the good things in our lives and expressing gratitude to others can build stronger relationships, improve our physical and mental health, and find greater satisfaction in life. Learning to feel grateful is the first step towards living in an emotionally rich society, where people appreciate more than complain and stand firm in supporting each other. 

Thank you for reading, and have a wonderful new year.