Gratitude brings us happiness, rather than the other way around. Our brains are naturally inclined to focus on negative aspects of our lives, which can increase anxiety and stress. We often overlook the positive things happening around us, which can rob us of joy. However, practicing gratitude can flip this tendency. By consciously acknowledging and appreciating the good things in our lives, we feel happier and experience less stress.
Research indicates that regularly practicing gratitude is one of the simplest ways to increase happiness. In the Wildmind online community, many members share what they are grateful for, sometimes sporadically and sometimes daily. One member recently asked for advice on how to cultivate gratitude, admitting he struggles to feel grateful for everyday things. He wondered if gratitude practice could be similar to metta, where one starts with an intention.
Community members offered various suggestions, and I’d like to share some of this collective wisdom. When I sit down each morning to list five things I’m grateful for, I often struggle to get past three. But I always manage to complete the list, and by the end, I often find myself grateful just for breathing and existing. Reading others’ gratitude lists also makes me feel connected to their appreciation and joy.
Practicing gratitude helps us recognize the abundance around us. Without it, life can seem full of obstacles and challenges. With it, we start to see the many blessings that surround us.
I highly recommend practicing gratitude and hope you find these suggestions helpful. If you want to learn more about the benefits of being a Wildmind sponsor, there’s plenty more to explore beyond just sharing our gratitude.
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