images-6Practicing gratitude helps us to put our lives into perspective. When we can see the good as well as the bad it becomes much more difficult to complain or to stay stuck in our unhappiness.

Gratitude helps us to see and appreciate all that we have; it can also reduce our need for wanting more.

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of our life. It turns what we have into enough, and more! It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, and confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” – Melody Beattie

Gratitude helps us to stay in and celebrate each present moment. It strengthens relationships, reduces stress, improves health, and overall gratitude makes us happier. This is because gratitude encourages us to appreciate all of the gifts in our lives and to repay pay them forward to others.

If you haven’t been convinced yet on why practicing gratitude can lead to a happier and healthier life keep reading, there is proof through the last ten years of research.

images-1The benefits of practicing gratitude, even during times of adversity (confronting death, struggling with long term illness and disease, etc.) has been the most reliable method for increasing happiness and overall life satisfaction. According to researchers, practicing gratitude:

  • Increases our feelings of optimism, joy, pleasure, and enthusiasm.
  • Strengths our immune system, lowers blood pressure, reduces symptoms of illness, makes us less annoyed by aches and pains and encourages us to exercise more and take better care of our health.
  • Improves our sleep by spending less time awake before falling asleep and feeling more refreshed when we wake. If you want to sleep more soundly count your blessings – not sheep. 🙂
  • Makes us more resilient and has been found to help people recover from traumatic events including those with PTSD.
  • Makes us feel closer and more committed to friends and romantic partners. When we feel and express gratitude for each other we become more satisfied with our relationships.

Grateful Infographic

Okay, are you convinced of the power of gratitude? I am!

Here’s a few ways you can cultivate gratitude:

  1. Notice your world from a point of gratitude. Enjoy the wonder and amazement at all of the good we take for granted.
  2. Keep a Gratitude Journal. Write in it everyday at least 3 – 5 things you are grateful for.
  3. Give at least one compliment a day. This can be towards a person or by asking someone to share your appreciation of something. Did you notice how gorgeous those clouds were today….we are so lucky that we live here.
  4. When you find yourself in a sticky or negative situation, ask what can I learn from this? When you look back, without emotion, what will you be grateful for?
  5. Make a promise to not complain, criticize, or gossip for two weeks. If you slip, gather your willpower and keep going. Notice the amount of energy you were spending on negative thoughts and actions.
  6. Become involved in a cause that is important to you. Donate your time, money or talent. You will gain a greater appreciation for the cause and in turn they will appreciate you.

imagesGratitude is a powerful component to our happiness. It is through an attitude of gratitude that we can make a huge difference not only in our own happiness, but also in the lives of others.

Here are ten motivational quotes that can get our attitude of gratitude jump-started:

“Gratitude is a currency that we can mind for ourselves, and spend without fear of bankruptcy.” – Fred De Witt Van Amburgh


“Each time your light goes out it is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” – Albert Schweitzer








In the spirit of this gratitude post……I’m grateful for you following my blog and listening to my musings surrounding Personal Mastery topics.