Ben Heller Week 11- Gratitude

 I’ve been trying- emphasis on the word “trying”- to learn how to meditate and be mindful for the better part of two years, and even though I’m a long way from getting to where I want to be on my mindfulness journey, I still have a few tricks up my sleeve. The biggest factor that has helped me has been gratitude. Expressing gratitude for people and things in our life, even to ourselves can have benefits. People don’t realize how many opportunities they have to be grateful, and that’s a shame, because gratitude is a powerful tool that helps us be in the moment, and appreciate what we have.

As we come out of the back end of turkey week, it feels poignant to mention the importance of gratitude. According to healthline, expressing gratitude contributes to health by lowering stress. This in turn strengthens the immune system, fortifying our body not only mentally, but physically. Another study cited by healthline shows a better mental health outcome after practicing gratitude. Gratitude also aids in strengthening relationships. Whether they be familial, friendly, or romantic, expressing gratitude to those around you not only makes you feel better, but the people around you, linked to increased happiness. Lastly, for those who feel pessimistic, gratitude has shown to increase the optimistic feelings of such people.

Gratitude can take shape in many different forms. There is no “one size fits all” version of expressing gratitude. Some people take to journaling to express gratitude. Many people choose to write in gratitude journals at the beginning of the day to set a positive tone for the rest of their day. Others choose to volunteer and do community service, in a way expressing gratitude for what they have and trying to give to those who don’t. Another version of this is meditation. Focusing on the breath and centering yourself helps draw you into the moment. Being in the moment lets us stop and smell the roses. Lastly, for those more religiously inclined, prayer is an excellent way to show gratitude.

The overall message from gratitude is to stop, drop, and live in the present moment. We often feel overwhelmed by things going on around us, but for just a few seconds in the day, we can block out all the noise. We take time for ourselves to realize that there is more to be thankful for than to complain about. Stop, and smell the roses.

https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-gratitude-practice#takeaway

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Comments

  1. AnonymousNov 30, 2021, 5:11:00 PM

    This is really moving and very inspiring. It makes me want to be more grateful and mindful of the people around me and especially myself. I have a hard time stopping and taking a breath, there's always something to do. Do you have any specific ways of relaxing your mind and body so that you can really be grateful of your surroundings and yourself?

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  2. AnonymousNov 30, 2021, 8:43:00 PM

    I 100% agree with you that we need to stop for a second and realize how much good is in our life and all the good things that have happened, that are happening, and that are going to happen. I try to think of this and tell myself that this is all part of life and there is no reason to make yourself stressed, and this really works.

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  3. AnonymousNov 30, 2021, 9:58:00 PM

    I agree that sometimes we need to stop and realize what we do have in our lives instead of what we don't and instead of complaining, we need to start appreciating. For example, instead of complaining about having to wake up early in the morning for school, be grateful that you are fortunate enough to go to a private jewish school. I feel that often we only look at the negative aspects of our lives instead of the positive ones. Personally, my favorite way of showing gratitude to the community is by doing community service which is not only something I enjoy but something that leaves me with a feeling of "ya, I just did something important".

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