I see it on a weekly basis, sometimes daily between friends and business associates - people are so stressed out, constantly working, worrying about things that won't matter a week from today, sleeping little, and complaining a lot.
Oftentimes people forget to take a step back and think about how truly lucky they are (and don't get me wrong, I am guilty of being that person sometimes too). Because of my years spent studying and practicing the path of mindfulness, I am often able to snap out of it and utilize the one action that has made feel happier, lighter, blessed, and inspired - giving thanks.
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, in January 2015, 564,708 people were homeless on a given night in the United States. World Food Programme reported, some 795 million people in the world do not have enough food to lead a healthy active life.
I realize I don't know you, but I bet you have more to be grateful than you think, especially if you've eaten recently and slept someplace comfortable.
Back when I moved out on my own as a recent college graduate (a time when things were a little difficult), I started going to classes at a local yoga studio that also provided meditation and personal development classes. In one of the classes, I was introduced to the teachings of motivational author Lousie Hay and the benefits of keeping a gratitude journal.
Every night for several weeks right before turning off my night lamp, I flipped open my little notebook (gratitude journal) and wrote something I was thankful for. Admittedly, I did not keep up with it as much as I could have but when I needed it, it was there. To this day I still have a gratitude journal and whenever I find myself complaining a little too much or had an exceptionally great adventure, I open it up and write five things I am grateful for.
"Connecting with others -- and especially with ourselves -- through daily practices of gratitude helps to remind us that we are part of a greater human and spiritual whole," wrote the experts at Mandala Healing Center. That same article added: "By focusing on what we have rather than on what we lack, gratitude opens our hearts to feelings of compassion, generosity and love; it points us to an understanding of an appreciation for our unique lives..."
Bringing gratitude in our life can be as powerful as helping us to become healthier.
Huffington Post Contributor Ocean Robbins cited a study conducted by Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D and gratitude researcher; it that found participants in the study's gratitude group "felt better about their lives as a whole and were a full 25 percent happier than the [participants in the] hassled group." In addition, it was noted that participants reported fewer health complaints and exercised an average of 1.5 hours more.
In Emmon's book 'Thanks! How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier' he wrote about scientific research he did in which he and his partner discovered that a systematic cultivation of gratitude has measurable benefits such as: psychological, physical, and interpersonal.
Harvard Health Publications noted, "In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness," continuing with, "gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships."
Gratitude is great, you get it - you're telling me, and you get that you need to be more grateful. I explained this to a friend a few weeks ago who needed some up lifting. I made him sit on the phone with me until he could come up with five things he was grateful for. He had a hard time at first and didn't know what to say. Of course he is grateful for his food, home, and car - the usual but were those enough? Of course they were.
Being grateful does not have to be this big thing -- remember the title of this article ... quick, free, and easy. Your giving thanks can be exactly those three things. If you want to make them more involved, go for it. Here are some examples on both ends:
I am grateful for:
• The clean air I breathe.
• My comfortable king size bed (this is in my journal).
• My adorable puppy who makes me laugh (also in my journal).
• The teeth that allow me to chew delicious ____ [insert your favorite food].
• The fact that I can eat that delicious ____ whenever I feel like it.
• My heath.
• My freedom.
• Mom, dad, sister, brother, grandma.
• Shoes.
Ready to start feeling happier from the power of gratitude? Try doing at least one of the following everyday.
1. Cancel negative thoughts with gratitude.
If you find yourself saying anything negative, replace it with gratitude. Here's something I use often:
• Thought: I hate sitting in this traffic.
• Gratitude cancelation: I am thankful I am healthy as I sit in my comfortable car listening to music. This traffic is temporary and I will be home soon.
2. Write it down.
As noted earlier, I am a fan of the gratitude journal. While Lousie Hay and other experts suggest it, you don't need one. Grab any piece of paper - Post-It Note, old receipt, candy wrapper, whatever, and write something down that you are grateful for.
3. Scream it out loud!
Going on a morning jog? Scream something you are grateful for! People around? Say it just loud enough so that they can't hear (unless you don't mind them hearing)!
4. Feel it.
Laying on your comfortable recliner or eating a delicious piece of food? Use your senses to feel what you are grateful for. Since I am a big advocate of mindfulness, which focuses on being in the moment, I also believe that you don't need to come out and say what you are thankful but the mere thought and touch of it can liven your spirit.
I am thankful for you, for reading this article. Please help spread the message by sharing it.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and everything in this article is based on heavy research and years of personal practice. If you truly need to be happier and being grateful is not working for you, please consult a licensed professional.