Gratitude reflections from an ex-non-believer

Have you ever felt like gratitude is just a concept for believers? Well, let me tell you, as a former non-believer in gratitude, my perspective has changed. I've come to realize the immense power of gratitude in shaping our thoughts, actions, and ultimately, our lives.

My journey from Grinch to Gratitude Goddes started - no kidding eh! - during Covid. A coach I followed suggested we keep a journal to record all our #ofcourse moments. #ofcourse moments are all things that happen to you that go smoothly. Did Amazon deliver on time? #ofcourse. Did you find flour on the shelf during the first months of a pandemic? #ofcourse. You got the idea.

That little exercise slowly changed my perspective, making me realize how good life was despite, well, all the chaos around me. So I started to journal what I was grateful for. I started from the basics, which I'm ashamed to say I've always taken for granted: food, shelter, health, and family (I would later on learn about the Wheel of Privilege and Power, but that's a topic for another post.)

That led me to be more specific, and to dig deeper into what I was grateful for: a "job" became an "above living wage job" and then a "job with health benefits" and so on. Some days I would just repeat myself, others I would find new things to be grateful for.

I find it a fascinating topic - how the mind shapes our future. By changing your perspective, you gain new possibilities.

So here's my advice to go from doom to hope: keep a list of the things you're grateful for. The next time that you feel angry, frustrated, or a bit depressed, make a list and literally count your blessings. Making a list helps you to stop obsessing over the current situation. Studies show that practicing gratitude regularly can raise your mood and also boost your self-esteem, willpower, long-term health, and even your level of success in life! Too busy to make gratitude lists or keep a gratitude journal? Try writing short notes about gratitude to yourself and keeping them in a jar. At the end of the week or the month, open the jar and count your blessings.

There are difficult times in everyone's life, but practicing gratitude on a regular basis gives you the power and inspiration to remain positive as you overcome challenges. That's why gratitude is one of the tools I teach in my program "How to Reduce Stress and Improve Mental and Emotional Health" which is specifically designed for businesses and non-profit organizations. The purpose of this program is to help their staff who are dealing with stress, burnout, and anxiety to improve their emotional well-being and feel empowered.  Read more about the program.