Recently I discovered a wonderful way that gratitude can change your day and how to practice it.
I was having one of those “down days” where everything seemed to be upside down. I felt stuck, I felt like I couldn’t get out of my negative mindset. I was sharing my disappointment with a good friend when she interrupted me.
“Do you have a roof over your head?” “Yes”. I had an idea what direction our conversation was about to move in.
“Do you know how many people DON’T?” I felt my thoughts starting to shift.
“Do you have food on the table every day?” “Yes” “Do you know that many people DON’T?” More of my thoughts shifted.
An a-HA! Moment
The bombardment of questions continued until I had my “a-HA!” moment: Your mood is directly affected by being aware of what you choose to focus on.
The problem is that many people live life on autopilot. They react to life’s circumstances instead of choosing to respond to them. Something bad happens and BAM!, their day is shot. They spend the rest of the day reliving the negative situation again and again. That creates a downward spiral that can seem impossible to reverse. Their autopilot is engaged and running off the rails. The good news is that all is not lost in those situations. Change is possible.
The answer lies in dichotomies. Anger and happiness can’t exist in your head at the same time. The same goes for feelings of lack and feelings of gratitude. It’s all about what you choose to focus on. The good news is that we can shift our mindset anytime we want to. It might take a little work, but it’s always possible. Brain chemicals that directly affect your mood, like Dopamine and Epinephrine (adrenaline), can be evoked on demand when you change what you focus on.
There is a Way
That made sense to me, but I needed to know how to shift my focus. Thankfully, I was given a way.
Buy a notebook or a special journal. Every morning, write down five things that you’re grateful for. Review that list a few times throughout your day. When you think of more things, add them to the list. You don’t always need to write down huge life events. Anything that you are grateful for works.
Having a bed to sleep in. Your friends. That first cup of coffee in the morning. Pets. Watching the sun rise. Watching the sun set. Your most comfortable pair of pajamas and any other happy things that you can think of. Let your brain run wild in the realm of gratitude.
When you shift your focus, you shift your actions. You create a happy snowball effect; as you take more positive action you create more positive results. Your days become happier and more productive.
Onwards and Upwards!
I hope this exercise in gratitude helps you bounce back from those “down days” and enhances your good days.
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