This blog post has been adapted from the transcription of the above video.
Cicero once said, "Gratitude is not only the greatest virtue but the parent of all the others."
Sometimes in life, it can be really easy to take things for granted. I’ve personally started losing gratitude for even the simple things. We tend to forget that access to clean water, clean air, and the ability for our bodies to move around freely are things that we should be grateful for everyday.
It can be easy to fall into the hedonic treadmill of getting accustomed to the things and blessings that we experience everyday in our lives.
Stepping Away From The Hedonic Treadmill
We end up taking these things for granted because of something called the “hedonic treadmill.” This is where we get accustomed to the things that we currently have in our lives. When I take a moment to slow down and think of all the things that I should be grateful for, my mood improves and I feel happier.
Some studies even show that making gratitude lists and going through the actual process of thinking about what you can be grateful for can significantly improve your mood.
Take a pause and think about even the little things that you are grateful for, and it’ll make a huge difference.
It’s All About The Little Things
Ask yourself this question, “What am I grateful for at this very moment?” A lot of times in our lives, we humans are always striving and seeking for the next thing. We’re constantly wanting more, forgetting that there are things right now that we can be grateful for.
Take a pause and think about the things that you’re grateful for. Is it the fact that you have a computer or a phone where you're reading this blog? Is it the fact that we can easily have access to Wi-Fi which provides us with the Library of Alexandria at our fingertips? There are so many things that we can be grateful for and it's easy to forget.
Learn more about some gratitude exercises to help you rewire your brain in this blog!
In life, things don’t always go as planned. However, within these “bad” moments are always silver linings that make us see the bright side.
Silver Linings Make All The Difference
If you’re reading this and today seems like it’s just “not your day,” try to focus on all of the silver linings instead. Maybe a meeting at work didn’t go as planned, but at least you have a job that helps you pay your bills. Or maybe your car acted up and gave you some problems, but at least you have the financial capabilities to maintain your car.
Right now, think about all of the “bad” things that have occurred in your life and what you have learned from these “bad” experiences.
Read our blog “How Can I Be More Grateful In Life?” to learn more about some gratitude practices you can start incorporating in your life today!
Practicing an attitude of gratitude can sometimes be harder said than done, we admit that ourselves. But through incorporating daily practices such as journaling or meditating, this will help you in changing your mindset and learning to see the good in things. Over time, choosing to be grateful over stressed and anxious will become a second habit.
What is one thing that you’re grateful for at this moment?
We’ve all experienced moments of stress and anxiety. In these moments, we can easily forget to be grateful about all the good things in life. In this blog, we talk about the importance of being grateful and how you can start being more grateful at this moment.
