An Attitude of Gratitude
“You’ve got to have an attitude of gratitude” they say.
And when I’m having an especially bad day, I wonder what is the purpose of being grateful? I’m angry or grumpy or I’m feeling all the feels. WHY WON’T THEY LET ME FEEL ALL THE FEELS? (Okay, no one is stopping me but I am just feeling dramatic at that moment.)
I notice when I am like this I’m stuck. I’m behaving in such a way that I’m sitting in my pity party, thank you. After a while, though, it engulfs me.
Here comes gratitude. This is an easy and quick way to change the mood I’m in. Here’s why. When you lift your vibration, your mood, your energy - all of a sudden, lightness comes back. Gratitude gives the body, mind and spirit hope. It helps to understand what you do have or what is positive in your life.
A few years ago, I was a counselor on the Crisis Text Line. CTL is designed to help people who need a supportive ear to help them get through whatever they are feeling. A teenager text in to say they were not so sure about next steps in life and had felt left down by her family. I remember her words, “I have nothing good going on in my life.” Something just told me we needed to explore if there was anything that was going well.
I said, “What about the fact you found us? Is that something that is good?”
“Well, yes,” she responded.
“Are you typing on a laptop or desktop?” I asked.
She hesitates, “My laptop.”
“That’s awesome. Okay, in our conversation, let’s see if we can find more good things. Is it okay we call them blessings? And let’s shoot for 20 blessings in our conversation.”
Back and forth we went. “She would say something like ‘I have a wonderful dog.’ and I’d type, ‘BLESSING’ or “Oooohhh… that’s a good one’.” We also talked about what made her feel that way. She realized these things and situations made her happy at a minimum. (She couldn’t live without the pup.)
By the time we ended the call about 15 minutes later or so, we had figured out 41 blessings. She felt better and connected to those things in her life that brought her happiness. In 15 minutes, her whole outlook changed.
When you’re feeling low, try out that exercise. Have someone sit with you while you list your blessings. Either someone can do what I did - focus on your wonderful things. Or, write it down and exchange and review lists with a partner. Keep adding to it.
Allow yourself to focus on the positive. Things change in your life by making the effort to change old patterns. You deserve even more blessings so let the Universe create them for you. A little effort goes a long way. Don’t stop now.
Here - I’ll start you off, You found this blog. (hehe) Maybe it was just what you needed.
If you’re feeling the need to be supported, please connect with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text “Home” to 741-741 to reach The Crisis Text Line.