Why Be Grateful?

I have always been drawn to positive psychology. Anything on that topic seems to reel me in like a worm-hungry bluegill on a cool summer morning. When I spend time focusing on my blessings, I feel better overall. Sometimes, I am getting ready for work and I don’t really feel my best. I am not looking forward to the day or at least certain parts of it. But, I press on with my routine, clothe myself in an outfit that makes me feel pretty darn good and put on a little make-up. I smile and greet my co-workers as I’m walking into the office. And, you know what? By the time I get to my desk, I actually feel better. The “fake it til you make it” concept works. At least it does for me. A few months ago, I ran across a study that has been on my mind a lot. It said that research shows people who engage in acts of gratitude, even for a brief time, such as writing about things they are thankful for, tend to be significantly happier than those who don’t. These individuals — even those who suffer from anxiety and depression – more effectively manage adverse circumstances and report higher satisfaction with life in general. The article also says that those who regularly practice gratefulness actually have an observable difference in the connection between their heart and brain! (See Scientists Show How Gratitude Literally Altars the Human Heart Molecular Structure of the Brain.) So, no. I don’t wake up each morning naturally feeling thankful, ready to jump out of bed with gusto. But, when I take time to deliberately adjust my mind toward gratitude, it increases the energy I need to tackle the day and makes a difference in how I show up. Tactics such as setting an alarm to something uplifting, listening to an encouraging podcast or music as I’m getting dressed, reading or meditating, starting out with a prayer focused on gratitude, and of course, writing what I’m thankful for in a journal, are just a few ways to set a new tone for the day. We are all highly prone to be receptive to negative thoughts, but when we put structures in place to mitigate this, it reshapes our future. What are other things people do to start their day in a positive way?