The Power of Gratitude

A few years ago, when I had first moved to the Bay Area, I watched a program on television that was about happiness. It outlined five steps that were guaranteed to make you happy. The only step I remember now is the one on gratitude. This may be because that’s the only part of the program I watched, or it may be because I actually followed the step, and it had a huge impact on me. And, yes, it made me happier.

The suggestion was to start a Gratitude Journal – to write down five things you are grateful for each day. I bought a special notebook and kept it on my bedside locker. Each night, I would faithfully record the five things that I was grateful for. At the time, I was seeing a therapist for an ongoing low-lying depression, and some days were harder than others to come up with the things.

But, I was determined to give it my best shot, and, no matter what, I wrote down five things. Sometimes, it was the brief connection I had made with someone during the day – a friendly look or tone of voice. Sometimes, it was that I could hear Sandy, my pup, snore softly from her bed at the foot of mine. Often, it was for the beautiful landscape that surrounded me in my new home.

It wasn’t long before I noticed that during the day I would start looking out for things to be grateful for. Instead of, or I should say, as well as, unconsciously focusing on the negative, I was consciously seeking out the positive. And it didn’t take long at all for this shift to take place. And, once it did, I noticed that I was becoming happier and more optimistic. I kept up this daily practice for a year or so, and for whatever reason – or for no reason at all – I fell out of the habit.

However, I still find that I look out for things that I am grateful for. And when I find myself beginning to spiral down a negative thought tunnel, it often doesn't take me long to shift my perspective and find a positive angle. But not always! Perhaps it's time to start up my formal daily practice again. Care to join me?