Gratitude Attitude
“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but is the parent of all others.” ~Cicero
Thank you…such a simple phrase, such a simple concept but oh the power it holds. The ability to say thank you (and really mean it) is something that seems to be lacking a little more each day in our society. The ability to show and express gratitude without expectancy of something in return seems to be considered old fashion and out of step in our modern self-centered society where feelings of entitlement rule the day. That may be fine and dandy for some but as for me and my household, we choose gratitude not just because it is the right thing to do but because it is also the healthy thing to do…it just feels good, way better than one might think. As our journey through the 2016 holiday season comes closer to a conclusion, some people embrace the holiday spirit by being a little kinder to one another, a little more giving and a little more willing to be understanding in difficult situations all in the name of the season. Some people express more gratitude during the holidays because it makes them feel good as they take a nostalgic turn down memory lane visiting all those happy thoughts of years gone by. Being thankful and expressing gratitude during the holidays for some is what helps make the season that much more magical…but there is a reason it feels so magical.
Our ability to feel gratitude and express that gratitude has a profoundly positive benefit for not just our mental health but to our physical health too. In a 2014 article written by Amy Morin she extols seven different virtues of having an attitude of gratitude. The first of these is that by expressing gratitude to the people around you, you are more likely to open the door to new relationships (friends) both personally and professionally. Being thankful and having a heart of gratitude improves physical health as grateful people feel less aches and pains and are more likely to take care of their body. Being grateful is good for your psychological health as people who express feelings of gratitude are less likely to feel the toxic emotions of envy, resentment and regret. Having an attitude of gratitude also reduces feelings of aggression and enhances feelings of empathy making you a much better person all round to hang out with. Grateful people also sleep better, have better self-esteem and have a higher level of mental toughness all because they feel thankful for what they have and who they are. Kindness radiates from people who practice the life skill of gratitude because they seem to be in this happy place where they are just thankful for what they have instead of stressing out about what they don’t have. I’m not saying that people who live by gratitude don’t have moments where they want something more but I am saying that they won’t implode if they can’t get what they want right away. They will just happily work towards their goal with a thankful heart until they get it.
Christmas time usually brings out the best in humanity and for that I’m thankful. We live in a land that abounds with opportunity and I believe that the glass is always half full and I know that speaking for myself, I feel better about the world with a little bit of optimism in my heart. Call me old fashion, call me naïve, call me what you will but I believe we can all be the change we wish to see in the world and with an attitude of gratitude I believe we can make it happen. I would like to thank you all for reading and as we rapidly approach Christmas day I urge you to try to keep that giving spirit in your heart all the year-long. Stay warm and safe out there, take care of yourself and each other, and remember, we’re all in this together.
Wm Reid
Best Home Care Services
325 N Eastern Ave
Connersville, IN 47331
765-827-9833
wmreid@bhcshealth.com