5 Benefits of Having the Attitude of Gratitude

Not long ago, in one of the training events I attended, my classmates and I were introduced to a morning routine that is said to be very powerful and helpful in having a productive day. The tasks include writing down all the things that you are grateful for that day. All means every single thing, person, and moment so there is no limit to the list. I actually heard of this practice a hundred times in the past already but would just forget about it, thinking that it isn’t that vital in my daily life. When I finally started this practice as part of the routine taught to us by our mentor, I realized right then and there how beneficial it is to me. 

From then on, I have become more positive, more hopeful, more loving, and more appreciative. It was like seeing the things and people in my life for the first time. I say that if we are always grateful, we will see endless benefits. Based on my experience, here are some of those benefits:

1. We become a happy and positive person. When we are always reminded of the things and people we have, we become a happy and positive person because we will less likely focus on what we do not have. Rather than feeling empty, we will feel blessed instead when we see the list of all that we are grateful for.
2. We are able to appreciate even the little things. Sometimes, we fail to see the value of the things and people we have. But, when we take our time in analyzing each of their values, we realize how blessed we are to have them. Only when we take time to focus on everything that we have, that we are able to appreciate even the little things.
3. We become healthier. Being grateful keeps us healthy because we have a happy and positive disposition. Since we are constantly happy as we are reminded of our blessings, and we are positive that there are still good things amidst any negative situations, we lessen the stress that may come from dealing with our tasks and any other challenges.
4. It helps us maintain healthy relationships. Of course, when we constantly remind yourself of the people we are grateful for in our life, we appreciate their life and our connection with them more. When we see how blessed we are to have them, we will have the tendency to protect and take care of our relationship with them. Therefore, it helps us maintain healthy relationships.
5. It keeps us grounded. Every time we count our blessings – from the simplest to the grandest one, we become less of a complainer or whiner because we realize that we have already been blessed with a lot. When we do not acquire something, we do not see the world as unfair. We become someone who is not entitled. In other words, it keeps us grounded.

If you are wondering how you can change for the better, start with counting your blessings every single day and appreciating each one of those blessings. Being grateful can turn a poor person into a rich one. Choose to be grateful to live a more meaningful and healthy life. As Zig Ziglar said, “Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.”