Gratitude is simply being grateful for what you have received, whether you asked for it or not. In other words, it means being able to accept every event, every encounter as a gift from others or from life itself. It implies being able to rejoice, whatever the situation we’re going through. Gratitude also implies an ability to focus more on the reasons for satisfaction, and to stop complaining.

So it’s an exercise that, while sometimes difficult, can be highly beneficial. It should be pointed out that science only began to take an interest in this subject in the 2000s.

Why feel gratitude?

Why keep smiling when you know that things aren’t necessarily going as well as you’d like? Isn’t it just a way of escaping reality? These are all legitimate questions to ask. But one thing’s for sure: feeling grateful contributes to everyone’s well-being. What’s more, there are many other benefits associated with it. These include

STAYING MOTIVATED
Memories of pleasant times past can help you cope with difficult times. That’s where gratitude comes in. In particular, it allows you to glimpse even a glimpse of a way out. It makes it easier to invest yourself in your undertakings, no matter how complex they may be. Especially when you know you have the support of those closest to you. Gratitude also helps you to focus on your potential rather than your shortcomings. As a result, it boosts your self-esteem and encourages you to forge ahead despite difficulties.

FOR NEW OPPORTUNITIES
Saying thank you to someone for what he or she offers you makes you aware of what that person brings you. In this way, feeling gratitude could lead you to improve your relationship with that person. This could ultimately lead to better opportunities for collaboration. A grateful person also has a certain openness towards others. This makes it easier for them to get practical advice on how to overcome their difficulties.

TO IMPROVE INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS
People who spend all their time complaining get boring all too quickly. You probably knew that. It’s high time to stop complaining and be grateful for what you have. By doing so, you’ll make more friends. Feeling grateful gives you people you can count on during difficult times.

Add to all this the positive impact of gratitude on stress management. A person who is aware of his or her abilities is less likely to become over-stressed under certain conditions. As a result, they enjoy greater emotional balance. Not to mention the fact that they’re safer from high blood pressure and other illnesses. Gratitude and good health are intimately linked. But how can we make it our own? The answer lies in the following lines.

How to feel gratitude

There are a number of exercises available to help you cultivate a sense of gratitude and enjoy it to the full. These consist of small, everyday efforts that you are invited to adopt progressively. For example, you can

IDENTIFY REASONS TO BE GRATEFUL EVERY DAY
A famous adage teaches us that as long as there’s life, there’s always hope. So there are plenty of reasons to stop complaining. But for those who don’t realize it, this little exercise might help. It involves writing down every day anything that might make you feel grateful. A new day at work, good health, a loyal friend, an understanding boss. These are all things that seem trivial, but that many people miss. It’s time to thank the giver. It’s also a good idea to keep a record of all the items you’ve identified in a gratitude journal, so you can keep track of them over the long term.

WRITE A LETTER TO A LOVED ONE
A letter can be used to express various feelings between people. But in this case, it’s about expressing your gratitude to the other person. Sometimes it’s a good idea to read the letter in front of the person, so that they can feel the gratitude. This strengthens the bond with the person concerned and gives a great sense of well-being.

DECIDE TO BE GRATEFUL AND STOP COMPLAINING
Stopping complaining is much more a personal decision. It’s not just a matter of adopting an attitude to achieve a goal, but of making it a way of life. You need to learn to find reasons to stand your ground in every difficult situation. You can’t wait for good things to happen to you. The most important thing is to be able to learn from the good experiences of the past. Let’s also remember that every day is a new opportunity to do better. So seize it at the right moment.

It’s up to you…

Feeling gratitude is more a question of will than ability. Everyone can achieve it by using their own resources. What are yours?