The practice of gratitude and appreciation reduces stress and aggression, new studies show.
This makes sense: Allowing ourselves to be thankful for what we have places the focus on the importance of our existence and our inherent worth.
Being thankful also connects us to one another, because gratitude is often directed to the people in our lives who have affected us in positive ways. Perhaps those who have helped us grow and mature in directions that would not have been possible without the experience of someone or something else.
There are, however, people who’ll read this blog post and say to themselves that they have no room for being or feeling grateful. Perhaps they have been deeply let down or hurt, or incurred a catastrophic loss or injury.
For the rest of us, this is the moment to offer understanding and compassion to those who struggle with this sentiment. To acknowledge that it is reasonable and understandable to not “feel grateful” in those times when painful experiences are nearly unbearable.
Perhaps those in pain will later look back in gratitude that pressure to “be” a certain way was not imposed on them at difficult times in their lives.
The calm that comes with taking moments to let appreciation and gratitude enter our lives can be immensely satisfying and protective of our immune systems.
In turn, we are often able to share the warmth of these feelings — which may by osmosis help another in ways that are not easy to put into words.
May deeper levels of peace and tranquility enter your lives through this simple practice and awareness — and serve, sustain and protect as the years go by.
Photo: Kimberly Appelcline