When we are thankful for what we have, we invite more to come to us. Its just how the Universe works. Turning our focus from wanting what we don't have to appreciating what we do is a profound and powerful re-frame. Being grateful and showing it, creates peace, connection and more happiness - within ourselves and for others. Recent scientific research shows that people who practice an attitude of gratitude have:
- Stronger and more resilient immune systems;
- A higher state of happiness and wellbeing;
- Better sleep and higher performance;
- More positive emotions and experiences; and,
- Less depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation.
So, what can you do to practice an attitude of gratitude?
- Count your blessings and not your burdens. Be thankful for the simple things you normally take for granted - like the ability to breathe, the miraculous gift of having a body, and the beauty of this day. Open your eyes and heart to the abundance all around and more will usher in for you to see, feel, and have.
- Choose your words wisely. Research has recently uncovered that our brains respond to our language. That's right! Dr. Andrew Newberg, a neuroscientist at Thomas Jefferson University, and Mark Robert Waldman, a communications expert, collaborated on the book, “Words Can Change Your Brain.” In it, they write, “a single word has the power to influence the expression of genes that regulate physical and emotional stress.” In essence, words have vibrations and frequencies that affect matter, including our brains. The more we speak with positivity and thankfulness using words such as "love" and "peace," the more motivated and happier we become. Contrast that to negative words with a lower vibration - like "hate" and "fear," which block our ability to manage stress and increase our feelings of isolation and depression. Becoming aware of your language and noticing the words you use to express yourself will help you become more conscious of patterns, habits, and stories. By practicing positive communication, you can change the way you feel.
- Be aware of your focus. What you focus on comes about - it's that simple. It's not easy to practice, but with awareness, you can catch yourself focusing on things that either expand or contract you. Are you more inclined to focus on what is not working? Do you see what is wrong more often than not? Or, are you aware of the things that are going right? Do you see where people are coming from rather than what they say? Notice your automatic responses and know that you have ability to change your focus at any time you want. Focusing on gratitude and love raises your internal vibration and directly correlates with your happiness.
There is something very interesting that occurs when we
turn our attention to the abundance in our lives - more abundance ushers in! This is the law of attraction at work. At Plenty, we call this abundance thinking. We reject the notion that there is not enough to go around or that we are competing with each other - we call that scarcity thinking. We choose to practice and believe in a world where there is plenty for everyone - plenty of health, happiness, harmony, love, connection, and resources. We choose this mindset and although it is a daily practice, we see evidence in ourselves, our teams, and our clients that it works! We invite you to join us in this choice and practice with us. To learn more about how gratitude can improve your life, check out these articles:
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