The Art of Gratitude: Being Thankful For Experiences, Lessons, and Challenges
“We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” — Maya Angelou
As this year comes to a close, we often reflect on our many experiences, both good and bad. For those who had a great year, I’m sure you have a lot to be grateful for. However, what if you had a tough year? Still feeling grateful? Most generally had a mix of experiences: maybe we got a new job, traveled to a new country, but also went through a breakup or stopped working out. Life varies, but whatever it throws at you, find the silver lining, looking for what you can appreciate in the situation, no matter the circumstance.
What is Gratitude and How To Practice
When you return home from work, ready to relax in your living room, I’m sure you're grateful for both your space and the work that affords it to you. Gratitude is the appreciation for what you have, what you are gaining, not what you lack. For instance, you can focus on not having your dream career or dream home. Would that help? This doesn't mean not having preferences or goals, but instead not setting your intentions on what isn't there yet. This isn't toxic positivity, it's acceptance and a positive perspective towards what's in the now. You can appreciate your current situation while working towards your new goals, in fact, having gratitude further supports them.
But What If I Have Nothing To Be Grateful For?
Avoid toxic positivity, but don't become a negative Nancy either. Have balance. There are periods in your life when things may feel hard, and you may feel like you have run out of luck. Don't worry, it's temporary. Life has its ups and downs; at times, you may experience job loss, heartache, and loneliness. Some of you may have experienced greater pains, such as a diagnosis of an illness or the death of a loved one. The pain of those measures takes time to cope with effectively. However, when you focus on what you have, what you can do, and how you will someday feel better than you do right now, you eventually return to yourself. A group I find inspirational is children. I find that children are often optimistic, their youth allows them to see the upside in many challenging situations. If you find it difficult to express gratitude or find the light in a difficult situation, try channeling your inner child and see what they may find.
How to Find The Lesson in Challenging Situations
Have you ever met someone who is a serial dater or monogamous, and they are never the problem? Do they feed off their cycle of failed relationships? This is a great example of someone who hasn't yet learned the ability to learn from their dating experience. For example, instead of them complaining after their heartbreak, “they were toxic.” They can rephrase it in a way that shows they gained from the situation: “We were incompatible, I have a better sense of what I want moving forward,” or “I learned a lot from my relationship with them.” Be grateful for the opportunity to meet people who can teach you. Maybe you failed a class or got fired from a job. How can you gain appreciation for that setback? Evaluate what led to failing or getting fired. Come up with ways you can prevent the situation from happening again. Moving forward, you will study more for your classes and not procrastinate on the job. Sometimes gratitude comes from learning a hard lesson.
Expressing Gratitude Through “Romanticizing” Your Life
One effective way to start practicing gratitude is to appreciate the little things and make the most of every moment. Often, there's an amazing experience hidden within an ordinary situation; with a little bit of effort, these experiences are created. For instance, if you have a long commute to work, playing music or listening to a podcast can make the time more meaningful. Now, every day on your commute to work, you're doing something you enjoy. “Romanticizing” is simply expanding on any given moment, bringing more life into it.
Ways to “Romanticize” Your Life:
Play soft music in the mornings
Start a journal or diary
Elevate your space (candles, plants, etc.)
Pair music with your walks or runs
Cook meals that challenge your chef skills
Explore a new spot every month
Become a regular at a cafe
Go to the spa for self-care
Practicing Gratitude Throughout the Wellness Journey
Being grateful for where you are in your journey allows you to enjoy every moment as you move towards constant self-evolution. Throughout life's challenges, find lessons in each situation and turn disappointment into a source of growth. Explore additional information and wellness products.
