Benefits of Gratitude
Guest post by Julia Osovskaya
Practicing regular gratitude really works. Skeptics might still be giving me a hard time about it, but having completed a whole year of daily thanksgiving, I know what I am talking about and stand behind it. My thankful efforts proved to be more than worthy – the experience was truly and almost magically life-changing. Among the positive changes I observed happening in me are the following things:
- Having expressed my gratitude for some of the bad, sad and unfortunate things that took place in my life, it felt like I was freed of them. They don’t hold me down any more, which means I am ready for all of what life has in store for me in the future, whether good or bad.
- I don’t really get upset that much anymore. It’s just not easy to bring me down when I constantly remind myself of all the amazing things I am blessed to have, see and experience.
- Gratitude made me immune to most of life’s downs and lows by blocking the negativity way before it even gets to me. It’s the most natural habit now to focus right on the good ignoring the bad until the minute when I can do something about making it better. Or coming to terms with the bad, if it’s not in my power to change it.
- It gave me a whole new appreciation of nature. I don’t notice “bad” weather anymore, because I’ve learnt to really see the beauty in absolutely everything around me.
- I’ve become a much more cheerful person and this is something other people actually notice about me. Now it doesn’t take really knowing me to see my positivity.
- I get up in the morning and I look forward to every day. I now know that no matter what the day ahead holds for me, there will definitely be at least one thing to give thanks for.
- By making me see just exactly why I appreciated the dear people in my life, it showed me who my true friends were and, in turn, made me a better friend to them.
- I must admit my thanksgiving year also made it easier for me to say thank you and made me put even more meaning into it each time I do. Whenever I thank now, it’s certainly not just out of habit or me just trying to be polite. I really acknowledge what I say even if it’s the simplest kind of “thank you” for the simplest of everyday things.
Now tell us, what has changed in your life as a result of an effort to be more thankful? What are some of the benefits you’ve noticed? How does your own gratitude practice affect you?
Image courtesy of LaurieCoyleDesigns
Julia Osovskaya is a thankful spirit who believes that positive thinking, optimistic attitude and thankful mindset go a long way. Having completed a personal blog challenge of giving thanks daily for 365 days in a row, she has made it a mission to spread the word about life transformational power of gratitude. In addition to being a thankful person, Julia writes for blogs about chair design and all things golden and works in the social media marketing.
