Thoughts on Gratitude
For some people, the end of 2016 came with overwhelming feelings of stress, anxiety and exhaustion brought on by the frenetic pace and worry of life. People were talking about a sense of being out of control and running on a never-ending treadmill of commitments. They spoke about feeling a lack of connection to special people in their lives, and a general lack of balance. This was having a negative impact on their well being.
To address these feelings, conversations about gratitude were included in counseling where appropriate. Clients were asked to find and embrace their "gratitude opportunities" in order to think about and practice the idea of being grateful.
What is a "Gratitude Opportunity?"
A gratitude opportunity can be as simple as appreciating the experience of that first cup of coffee in a favorite quiet and calm spot in the morning. It can become an opportunity to incorporate your five senses into that coffee experience:
- Feeling the cup and the warmth in your hands
- Smelling the delicious aroma of the coffee
- Observing the design of the cup, or the swirly patterns in the foam
- Tasting the coffee as you take your first sip
- Listening to the sounds around you as you experience your coffee
The exercise is about being able to be grateful for that cup of coffee in that moment. The same sensory experience can be applied to other settings or opportunities. This exercise helps you to center and focus yourself so that you feel that you are able to take back control of that treadmill and decide on the pace you can travel at. So be on the lookout for your “gratitude opportunity” everyday.
Each of us has so much to be grateful for—we just need to give ourselves the opportunity to be grateful. Gratitude brings with it a special awareness that helps us to feel happiness. As Barry Neil Kayman said:
Gratitude is one of the sweet shortcuts to finding peace of mind and happiness inside. No matter what is going on outside of us, there is always something we could be grateful for.