The Art of Gratitude

 Dear Psychees,

"The more thankful I became, the more my bounty increased. That's because- for sure- what you focus on expands. When you focus on the goodness in life, you create more of it." 

-Oprah Winfrey-

Why do we avoid to felt in debt and refuse to felt accountable when received help? Why sometimes, we unconsciously refuse to admit to receiving help from benefactors? Simply conclude, it is out of our lucky stars. We have what we need in life, but why are we still looking at what is not ours? We constantly compared what others have and torture our emotional well being for not being like what we defined as perfect using our subjective definition and social expectation. Constantly running and chasing to meet others expectations. Forsake our emotional needs, and a focused shift on competing with others alienates positive emotions, especially gratitude.

Understanding the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions, positive emotions seldom occurs when people are in life-threatening situations. Most often happens when people feel safe and satiated (Frederick, 1998). Look back to "what you focused on expands. When you focus on the goodness in life. You create more of it"-Oprah Winfrey explained a simple act of goodness directly will create more of it. The situational example is when we bring good to others; naturally, we will receive a lot of goodness all around us. So, radiates positivity will vibrate thru the circles. Each person's positive emotions can reverberate through others. This is because emotions are contagious (Hatfield, Cacioppo & Rapson, 1993). Being grateful simply tell others how to treat and be treated. 

As we have seen, gratitude feels good and produces a cascade of beneficial social outcomes because it reflects; motivation and reinforces moral, social action in both the giver and recipient of help (McCullough et al., 2001; McCullough and Tsang., 2004). Expressed gratitude by simply saying thanks significantly impact social relationships because of the presence of acknowledgement and appreciation.

Allah said:

“And remember! Your Lord caused to be declared (publicly): ‘If you are grateful, I will add more (favours) unto you: but if you show ingratitude, truly My punishment is terrible indeed.”  (Surah Ibrahim 14:7)

So, here is some art that can be used to practice gratitude that I personally find helpful:

1. Gratitude Journal. Start investing minutes of your days in counting the blessing that you get in your life.

2. Say thanks. Always practice saying "thank you" to every little help you receive. This act will make others happy and appreciated. Remember, emotions are contagious. And most important, don't forget to thanks yourself!

3. Stop comparing with other grass. Saying, "the grass is greener on the other side"; instead, start watering and take good care of yourself.

4. Be mindful. Always live in the present. NOW moments. Let the past be a history that you can take a lesson from. Let the future be a hope that you work for at present.

5. Always surround yourself with positivity. Being positive yourself is tiring if you are constantly exposed to negativity. So, create a positive circle and make as the social support. Overall, this starts with us. When we being positive, we start to attract and sees more positivity.

6. Be patient and assertive.

7. Focus. Put your mind to always being a grateful person and focus on self-growth.

"The deepest form of gratitude is defined as an interior depth experience, which orients us to an acknowledged dependence, out of which flows a profound sense of being gifted. This way of being, in turn, elicits humility, just as it nourishes our goodness. As a consequence, when grateful we are led to experience and interpret life situations in ways that call forth from us an openness to and engagement with the world through purposeful actions, to share and increase the very good we have received."

 

Sincerely,

Amnie