The state of being grateful is extremely important component of being healthy. Indeed having an attitude of gratitude is mutually exclusive with being angry, cynical, depressed or unhappy. If and when one is truly grateful, an entirely different part of the brain and mind is at play than when one is dwelling in the negative emotions.
So what is it to be grateful. I believe we have all experienced this emotion at some time in our lives. To be grateful requires one to be content with his or her place. To be thankful. It can be a transient state like after receiving a gift or it can be more like a personality trait. Recent research shows it to be one of the most powerful of human emotions explaining why one cannot experience negative emotions simultaneous to feeling grateful. It is very predictive of happiness and well-being.
Gratitude can be learned and practiced. People keeping "gratitude journals" were shown to be generally happier and less depressed than controls. This is really important because as this is true, one can practice and "develop the muscles" of gratitude. In fact, a state of gratitude does not depend on one's circumstance or situation. An attitude of gratitude is truly a choice not the accumulation of good fortune.
It is amazing to experience the shift that occurs when one focuses on gratitude as opposed to a negative emotional state. It is really a palpable feeling when I make such a shift. The research on this state and the other positive emotions is just in its infancy but much seems like it will be learned as this very positive state is studied and understood.
For now, it seems apparent that putting our focus on this state has the capacity to align us with our goal of getting healed. The power of this internal shift is enormous. We all have darkness in our lives, bodies and environments. However, as Victor Frankl preached: "The problem is not the problem; the problem is your attitude about the problem".
If my definition of health(health is living with energy, freedom, and authenticity) is in any way correct, then choosing an attitude of gratitude is a prime example of freedom and can light the path to health. This enormously significant tool is always available and always in our tool box. Through awareness of this true gift, we become more empowered and more of an asset to those in our world who are looking for the light but are stumbling in the dark.
So what is it to be grateful. I believe we have all experienced this emotion at some time in our lives. To be grateful requires one to be content with his or her place. To be thankful. It can be a transient state like after receiving a gift or it can be more like a personality trait. Recent research shows it to be one of the most powerful of human emotions explaining why one cannot experience negative emotions simultaneous to feeling grateful. It is very predictive of happiness and well-being.
Gratitude can be learned and practiced. People keeping "gratitude journals" were shown to be generally happier and less depressed than controls. This is really important because as this is true, one can practice and "develop the muscles" of gratitude. In fact, a state of gratitude does not depend on one's circumstance or situation. An attitude of gratitude is truly a choice not the accumulation of good fortune.
It is amazing to experience the shift that occurs when one focuses on gratitude as opposed to a negative emotional state. It is really a palpable feeling when I make such a shift. The research on this state and the other positive emotions is just in its infancy but much seems like it will be learned as this very positive state is studied and understood.
For now, it seems apparent that putting our focus on this state has the capacity to align us with our goal of getting healed. The power of this internal shift is enormous. We all have darkness in our lives, bodies and environments. However, as Victor Frankl preached: "The problem is not the problem; the problem is your attitude about the problem".
If my definition of health(health is living with energy, freedom, and authenticity) is in any way correct, then choosing an attitude of gratitude is a prime example of freedom and can light the path to health. This enormously significant tool is always available and always in our tool box. Through awareness of this true gift, we become more empowered and more of an asset to those in our world who are looking for the light but are stumbling in the dark.
Comments
http://greeneggsblog.wordpress.com/2010/05/05/gratitude/
Love your blog!