Which comes first: Happiness or Gratitude? For a brief while I pondered whether I was grateful because I was happy or if I was happy because I was grateful. I finally decided that in my mind, at the very least, being grateful does increase your happiness. It isn’t a questions of “which”, it is an answer of BOTH. Happiness AND Gratitude.
“I am happy because I’m grateful. I choose to be grateful. That gratitude allows me to be happy.” Will Arnett
I don’t know when I realized that my happiness was up to me. No one can make you happy except you. However being grateful for what you have can enhance your happiness. Think about it, when are you happiest? Is it when you are grateful for and enjoying what you have? Or is it when you chase that thing you don’t have. Gratitude allows us to see our successes and acknowledge those around us.
Gratitude Leads to Happiness
“In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.” Health.Harvard.edu
Gratitude is a way to help you experience happiness. When you take what you have for granted, when you don’t stop and smell the roses, soon you won’t even notice them. Taking things for granted will take away your joy.
Being grateful and allowing yourself to experience happiness lets you know who you are. You can appreciate the good and let go of what does not contribute to your overall well-being.
“Don’t let life just pass you by. Open your eyes to what is around you.” lifehack.org
Gratitude is a positive emotion that can enhance happiness as you acknowledge the goodness in your life or when you direct your gratitude toward another person or higher power.
We are not always happy. Sometimes it can seem like you will never be happy especially in hard times. There is a path to contentment, joy, positivity, self-esteem, pride, health, and peace. There is a way to have less stress, reduced anxiety, and better relationships. Studies demonstrate gratitude is associated with all kinds of perks like life-satisfaction, health, wellbeing and happiness. Gratitude helps people refocus on what they have instead of what they lack.
In addition to being mindful and not taking happiness for granted what else can you do to enhance your contentment and happiness and also acknowledge the contributions of other to promote their happiness? Here is a list put together by Skip Prichard, an accomplished CEO, growth-oriented business leader, and keynote speaker. These are ways you can easily incorporate gratitude to enhance your happiness.
An Attitude of Gratitude
1. Write it down. Keep a gratitude journal. Try it for 30 days. Be specific about what you are thankful for.
When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect toward others. -Dalai Lama
2. Talk about it. Make it a habit to talk about what you are grateful for all year long. It will reinforce your feelings.
If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share. – W. Clement Stone
3. Meditate. Whether you regularly meditate or not, take a break a few times a day. Focus on a spirit of thankfulness and what you are you thankful for.
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one of them to say thank you? – William Arthur Ward
4. Express it. Write a personal note and tell a long lost friend what she meant to you.
Gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy. – Jacques Maritain
5. Seek it. If you want to be thankful, get around people with that characteristic. Some people just bubble over with enthusiasm and gratitude for life. I once met an elderly lady who was exuberant about life. She was in a nursing home and could have complained for hours. Instead, she welcomed me into her room and started telling me about the birds outside her window. She was thankful for their company, for their song in the morning, and for their vibrant colors. As I listened to her, I realized that I wanted that special spark.
Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. – Chuck Swindoll “ skippritchard.com
Happiness AND Gratitude
Happiness can be fleeting, but gratitude is a way for people to appreciate what they have instead of always reaching for something new in the hopes it will make them happier. Gratitude is the gift that keeps on giving.
Related Article: Understanding Emotional Intelligence
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