Spirituality and Gratitude: A Key to Happiness
Spirituality and Gratitude
We hear a lot about gratitude these days. This is good, although the concept of gratitude is not quite as simple as it sounds. Feeling grateful, appreciative or thankful is a positive emotion, of course. We usually feel these emotions in response to something that we receive whether it is from a person or from God. In fact, gratitude to God is a central theme in most religions of the world.
One trip to a bookstore will show that 'self-improvement' is a vital part of our culture. Have you ever thought about self-improvement, spirituality and gratitude, though?
Spirituality and Gratitude
Self improvement and spirituality are built around the concept of gratitude.
Spirituality and Gratitude
You've got the power to transform your life. Self improvement spirituality is easily within reach.
What does self improvement really mean?
It means that with inner work, you can tranform your weaknesses into strength, sadness into joy, sickness into health, and scarcity into abundance.
Spirituality and Gratitude: What is spirituality anyway?
Spirituality and Gratitude
We tend to feel grateful when we receive something that is valuable to us, costs the giver time or money, and when given unexpectedly. A gift on our birthday is a good thing, but a gift out of the blue is really special. Perhaps it is the gift given without obligation that makes it even more special.
Research shows that feelings of gratitude can be beneficial to our emotional well-being (Emmons & McCullough, 2003). People reported more positive emotions after practicing gratitude. Some were grateful for a person and the control group were asked to think about their living room. Those who practiced gratitude experienced more positive emotions afterwards. Interestingly, people who were grateful in general were not influenced so much (McCullough, Tsang & Emmons, 2004).
This brings about an interesting take on gratitude and self improvement spirituality. Some of us tend to be more grateful in general than others. This might be a learned trait and this might be our natural state. I'll call this state natural holistic gratitude.
What are the benefits of gratitude?
Cope with stress and trauma better
Moral behavior is promoted (grateful people are more likely to help others)
Builds social bonds by strengthenning existing relationships and encouraging new ones.
You'll feel less envious when you appreciate your own life
It is very difficult to feel anger, bitterness or greed if you are also feeling grateful.
Feel better emotionally and physically: Happiness!
Improved Spiritual Well-Being
Your self worth and self esteem are boltered when you realize how much people do for you and how much you do for people.
Increased prosperity
Develop a sense of Peace of Mind
Impact others in a positive way
Promote creativity
Who wouldn't want all of this? Say you're not sure if you are 'naturally' grateful or not? NO problem-you can easily become more grateful with some purposeful intention.
Spirituality and Gratitude
Let's begin with the first step-
1. Develop a sense of gratitude for the things you have control over such as your home, material possessions, your health, your job, people you love, your talents and so on.
If I ask you to make a list of the things you are grateful for, I imagine you would come up with several of these. This is fine, of course, but remember that this is just the start.
Begin by thinking about the blessings you have in your life right now. Practice this throughout the day either in writing or in your thoughts. PUt it forth in prayers if you wish. Open your eyes to all you have to be grateful for. You are surrounded by blessings-big ones and small ones. If you are grateful for people in your life, give them the gift of gratitude-show them how you feel. Tell them how you feel.
When thoughts of scarcity-the things you feel you do not have enough of-pop into your head, let them go and instead think about what you do have. Let your heart fill with joy and gratitude-never let it fill with envy or negativity. Holistic well-being requires positive thoughts and feelings. Negativity hurts in many, many ways.
The practice of gratitude leads to more gratitude. You can't go wrong.
2. Take the next step.
Gratitude that is independent of your situation is the gratitude that promotes Real self improvement spirituality. This type of gratitude is natural gratitude-an underlying attitude of gratitude no matter what is going on. In essence, it is that feeling that it is just great to be alive no matter what is going on around you. That means having feelings of gratitude toward your problems, your coworker who irritates you, your ideas and plans and the dumb things you do. This type of gratitude doesn't rely on things you can control like your job, your home, who loves you or who you love. This is shouting to the world that you love your life just the way it is. If you can do this without yearning for more, you've got it made. With continual practice, these feelings become an overall attitude and a way of being. This type of gratitude attracts wonderful things and people into your life. Positive energy attracts positive energy. It's a choice for you-be grateful or feel envious, angry, and hopeless.
Spirituality and Gratitude
Simple tasks to build a strong sense of gratitude
Keep a gratitude journal.
This can be as simple or complex as you wish. Begin by writing a few things you are grateful for. Begin this task daily and write at least 3 things. You may have some struggles in the beginning, but rest assured-you'll find more and more that you are grateful for. Writing it down makes it very real and less complex than just thinking about it. Make a promise to yourself and keep this journal. If you are like me, you might prefer to write in a pretty journal designated only as a gratitude journal. It is just that special. A simple notebook of any kind will work.
Spirituality and Gratitude
Express gratitude directly to someone or something.
You might tell that person, write a letter or call them. Don't forget your animal friends-they like to hear how much they mean to you, also. I wouldn't doubt that most people find it easier to express gratitude to their pet than to another person, but go out there and make yourself vulnerable. Imagine just how good that person will feel when they hear how much they mean to you.
Every once in a while I receive an email or a letter from a former student. I taught at New Mexico State University in Alamogordo, NM in 1996 or so. I loved it. I had the pleasure of teaching a holistic nursing class. I feel like some of what we learned in that class really impacted students and my own philosophy of nuring is even more reinforced when I hear from former students. I love to hear how they are doing. They all meant as much to me as I have apparently to them. It's a good feeling, and a simple email or letter really makes my day. Take note how you'll hear from people more than you ever used to AND how their notes or calls will come just when you need them the most!
Spirituality and Gratitude
See your surroundings as new all over again by showing a visitor around.
This may seem kind of silly, but the lack of luster of our surroundings happens no matter where we live. After 6 years in Hawaii, I still loved it and driving by the beach on my way to and from work was my daily treat. Even so, when family or friend would visit, I loved seeing the beauty of the islands through their eyes. You don't have to live in Hawaii to feel this.
Spirituality and Gratitude
Pick up a camera!
When my son was in 4th grade, I noticed that he didn't seem to see the beauty in life. I gave him a camera, and we went out on photo field trips. I was amazed at how he noticed the cows in the field, the greens of the fields, the colors of the flowers and so on. This was before the days of digital cameras and I can only imagine how having immediate photos would have impacted him! Is your child (or you!)taking environment for granted. Make a photo journal! It is fun, and it works. You can probably gather from looking at my website that I love photography. It is impossible to photograph life without becoming a part of it.
You've got the power to transform your life.
I've been reading The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment By Eckhart Tolle.
This certainly brings home the point of living in the moment. According to Tolle, having a sense of gratitude and awareness for the now-as opposed to the past or the future is key to joy. I'm paraphrasing here, because this book, as well as Tolle's other books have so much more to say. I really recommend reading them. I have actually listened to the books on CD and have them downloaded to my Kindle because I'm a visual learner, also. I see why Oprah is giving so much focus to this author and his books.
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