We all want a happy life.
A comfortable job, a perfect family, financial stability, and a great social life!
And in this indefinite pursuit of happiness that is most like a mirage, how often do we spare a minute to thank what we already have at this very moment?
Gratitude is a powerful human emotion. By conveying and receiving simple ‘thank you’ messages, we can truly derive the pleasure that we seek everywhere else, It has a remarkable ripple effect that extends far beyond the individual. When we experience and express gratitude, it inspires us to pay it forward and engage in acts of kindness.
Unhappy people lean more on their weaknesses and struggle with their self-identity. We must stop doubting ourselves and start celebrating our achievements.
Wondering how? Here are some simple ways that might help you.
1. Appreciate Yourself:
Stand in front of your mirror and speak out five good things to yourself. It can be about your past achievements or your present efforts, your talents and your virtues. Just say the words aloud. Compliment yourself with words like beautiful, loyal, disciplined, kind, loving, etc., and notice if that makes you feel better.
2. Gratitude journal:
You might have heard about this before. A gratitude journal is your personal space to pen down all the little and big things in life that you are thankful for. As you sit to express gratitude, you will consciously choose to focus on the good memories and might even recollect some long-lost happy moments.
There is power in words, so don’t overlook the small things, no matter how unimportant they may seem. A gratitude journal can have lines something like this:
- Compliments that I would give myself today.
- People I am grateful to have in my life.
- Current challenges and what I am learning from them.
3. Gratitude Visits:
We all have someone, whose unconditional support and help meant a lot to us. We feel as if we ‘owe’ our happiness and success to them. If you have such a person, he/she might be your friend, family, or professional associate, meet them once or twice a month. Initiate the plan, go and express your thankfulness one more time – let the person feel important. Exchange some good memories and offer your support.
4. Do not hesitate to be happy:
If you feel happy, don’t shy away from it. Remind yourself that you have worked hard enough to achieve this and you truly deserve it. Be it a huge achievement or a small success, acknowledge your joy and be thankful for the moment.
4. Keep a gratitude jar:
Keep a glass jar or a transparent box and some small pieces of paper beside it. Take up one paper every day and write about one thing that you are grateful for today. It may be your family, good health, loving friends, your home, or yourself for enduring so much – anything that made you feel blessed that day. As the jar gets filled up, you will naturally feel more gifted and hopeful.
So, let us harness the power of gratitude, as it has the potential to transform our lives, uplift others, and shape the world into a more compassionate one.
-Shruti Naik, Aspiring Psychologist
