The Healing Power of Gratitude

There is a natural tension between complaining or worrying and feeling thankful, a pervasive life dichotomy for sure.B Dwelling on our woes, whatever their source (even those understandably deserving of compassion) invites a cascade of negativity: stress, victim identity, despair, disgust and even hopelessness.B B Yet, our tough times are rich with opportunity grounded in appreciation and gratitude.

Of course, summoning the power of gratitude when things seem bleak invokes the idiom:B easier-said-than-done.B B It is easy and, dare I say, convenient, to allow the distraction of cloudy days to disconnect us from what is truly important to us and for what we are most thankful.B B Yet, the opportunity to refocus away from the heavy heart and onto the small things for which we can be thankful is aB sheer gift, allowing us to reaffirm and even redefine our core values.

Gratitude is empowering, a veritable game-changer. It increases our happiness, infuses our optimism, incites our excitement and improves our health.B B It humbles, grounds and teaches us.B B More, by releasing us from worry, it clears the way to action.B B Whether shared with others or simply an internal lightening rod for action, it can open up paths that otherwise seem blocked. For me, gratitude is foundational.

The internal process of moving from dark days to bright ones is inherently personal.B Nonetheless, sharing our experiences benefits all of us; we can learn from each other.B B Can you tell us a gratitude experience that moved you?