Time to Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude

Early in our lives, people surrounding us tried to teach us to give thanks to for praise, gifts, and small favors. Over time, as we grow older, our awareness of gratitude may have decreased. Now we must ask ourselves: Do we know that gratitude beyond social conventionalism has a deep and intentional level with an impact on our personal well-being and resistance?

Scientific studies have shown that gratitude produces countless benefits:

1. Helps people feel more positive emotions, savor good experiences, and improve their health.

2. Reduces our feelings of stress and sadness, allows us to feel happier, more satisfied with our lives, and deal with adversity.

3. Makes us strengthen our relationships. The perception of "community strength" increases.

In this moment of vertiginous change in which we need to innovate and adapt to the new reality, it is especially important to live with an attitude of gratitude, experience positive emotions, and expand our perspectives to allow us to see new possibilities in the world.

Positive emotions also help us develop new capabilities for the future and become more resilient during difficult times. This "expand and build" effect means that being intentional in cultivating positive emotions is even more critical when faced with uncertainty and change.

Practices to generate an attitude of gratitude:

1. Keep a gratitude journal taking at least 10 minutes in the morning to write down specifics facts for being thankful. Try it for 30 days. Watch how your thoughts develop over time.

2. Sharing what you are thankful for, make it a habit to talk. It will reinforce your feelings.

3. Express it. Find someone who has made a difference in your life and tell them. Send an email to a long-lost friend acknowledging that.

4. Get around people who are grateful, this is contagious. Some people bubble over with enthusiasm and gratitude for life.

¨Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it¨ Chuck Swindoll

- Coach Leo