In spirituality, one is guided to have a sense of Gratitude for all that one has got or achieved.
Even if we look at life with an utterly logical and practical lens, Gratitude plays a powerful role in our growth.
If we talk to people who have lived through life a fairly long time, we will listen to their words that convey contentment and gratitude despite the hardships they have faced. Why is this? There must be something special in the feeling of Gratitude. Yes there is. Because it is a shift from what we usually do. Normally we tend to see what we donot have. We seldom tend to look at what we have.
Knowing what you have and are grateful for is uplifting, life enhancing and fast tracks your self-development. Let me share how and why this happens.
When you pause to count things that you are grateful for is when you see them for the first time. You never knew of their existence till then. How does that feel? To discover your hidden treasure or wealth? It makes you smile or jump with joy and feel blessed.
I call it ‘Awareness of your wealth’
Looking at the positives and the things you have accomplished, lifts you from the space of lack or an inferiority complex. It makes you realise that you have been mostly looking at what others are having or achieving and thus feeling useless in comparison. Or may have been focusing on what you don’t have or what bothers you, be it at work or at home. But looking at one’s own life and seeking things you are grateful for, helps you acknowledge your life’s worth and the things that you have however different they may be. This is a very defining and uplifting feeling that reconnects you to your higher abilities in a constructive and energized way.
I call it ‘Driver of self-confidence and positivity’.
You may be surprised at the things you count as being grateful for. Surprised because you are currently chasing something you already have which now you know of. Or you think you donot have caring people in your life but you now know differently. Or you are leading a rushed, stressed life to reach someplace you have not defined yet. And you now know that it better be worth it. This tiny pause to reflect and feel gratitude for your life achievements gives you a power, a sense of direction, helps you amend or shift your goals, gives you a deeper understanding of yourself and what things matters to you the most thus taking you on a path of self-development that is unique, and success feels like success not because others say it is but because you know it is.
I call it ‘ The inspiration reservoir’
During the global pandemic, year 2020, I have conducted many online training programs and I found that one of the key things that kept people motivated and moving towards hope was their sense of gratitude for what they have in their lives. Varied things ranging from having a job, a home, a family, a circle of friends, a support system, to having a skill, money in the bank, a home in the village to stay safe. This boosted their positive state of mind in a VUCA environment, gave strength to deal with the new challenges during the pandemic, defined the choices they made to survive and succeed and the chances they gave themselves to upgrade to the new normal.
Once in a few months take 10 minutes to list what you are grateful for. It could be now if you have not done so in a while. This small act replenishes us, refuels and builds us to face challenges with ease.
