[The simple practice of gratitude is recommended medicine to the mind, body and soul]
Years ago, when I learned about the science behind gratitude and, the amount of clinical research that suggests “The practice of gratitude can have dramatic and lasting effects in a person’s life”, I decided to jump on board and discovered the work of Dr. Robert A. Emmons, professor of psychology at UC, world's leading scientific expert on gratitude.
Gratitude is not a natural inclination and takes time, effort, and discipline to remind us of the many reasons we can be grateful. But it is an exercise well worth the discomfort and challenge.
The idea that this “simple” practice could change the perspective I had on my life and assist in recovery from depression, was very appealing. I have to admit that I thought that giving thanks to things and people with real intention was going to be easy and quick, but as I was beginning the process, I realized that it wasn’t an easy task. Back then didn’t make sense to me to be grateful for people, bad memories and complicated situations. More recently, didn’t make sense to me to be grateful during times of discomfort dealing with the struggles and effects of COVID.
Now days I am aware and recognize that all those same things that sometimes I refuse to give thanks to, are the mold of my current life and I will be eternally grateful to each person, and circumstance that showed me the face of thanksgiving.
Writing and saying those statements of gratefulness out loud is powerful. Day by day I could feel my shoulders lighter, my spirit happier, and the things that used to bothered me and put me in fear and a hysteric mood vanish just by simply acknowledging what I am grateful for that day and how lucky I am to be alive.
In the era of Post-Covid, we are living a hurried life, full of fear, pain, suffering, hardship, turmoil, disappointment and regrets, always searching for the external and material component that would bring our souls to peace when a simple gesture of appreciation could spur our sense of value and existence in Earth. The global pandemic and has shown us that we are all miracles and can be the miracle to others.
Gratitude is not a natural inclination and takes time, effort, and discipline to remind us of the many reasons we can be grateful. But it is an exercise well worth the discomfort and challenge.
Here’s my invitation to you: Take a few moments today, wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, to pause for a moment and come up with a 10-gratitude statement list. Once you're done with your list, keep it close by and read it out loud as many times as you need it during the week. If it doesn’t come organically, don’t let that stop you from still giving thanks. There is still much to be thankful for, if we only have eyes to see and be present.
