Gratitude Comes From the Spirit of Observation

Everyone knows how gratitude changes our whole life like magic, bringing happiness and satisfaction. But all the exercises for developing gratitude lead to the moment when you want to give thanks for your life. In other words, we are allowed to arrange a kind of brainstorming called "Remember everything"! Whether you like it or not…

Surely you have completed at least one of these points several times: before going to bed, you wrote down 5 things for which you can thank fate, you remembered situations when it was very difficult for you, and then everything changed in good.

Also - in every situation, you have noticed all the skills and talents that you can use, unlike those who are deprived of this.

We do not contradict you, such exercises can be very useful and effective, but with one correction - when you are satisfied with what is happening at that moment. A simple statement of facts or memories - does not bring the desired effect. For example, you can write at least 100 points in your thank you diary, and on paper, they will look good, but you will still feel in your soul that not everything is so wonderful.

That is, a simple list of reasons why you should be grateful does not mean that your heart will be instantly filled with joy and happiness.

What is certain is that sincere gratitude is not born of the action of a magic wand. It comes from their experience, which we are currently experiencing. And not at all from the thoughts that a person generates in their head.

This is the psychology of man: it is much easier for him to evaluate what is happening here and now, and not the abstract idea "How good it once was."

The experience itself, not an idea, is what matters. Therefore, if you want to be truly grateful - forget about the exercises to develop this feeling. Although let's face it, there is nothing wrong with them. If this works for you, go ahead. You belong to that rare race of lucky people who just have to think of happiness to feel happy. Unfortunately, for most of us, it is different.

So put aside the lists of satisfying thoughts and abstract considerations. Look around you, listen to yourself and your feelings. Focus on the experience you are having right now - right now. What do you see, feel, hear? Right now - in this second. Beautiful, pleasant, interesting, soothing?

You can always see what is pleasing at this moment. These can be things that are completely invisible at first glance: the heat from the fireplace, next to which you warm your hands, returning home on a rainy day. Your cat, who has jumped to his knees and is lovingly cleaning himself. The sun's rays are woven into a fancy pattern on your table. The song was heard on the radio, which was performed many years ago in the school's music office.

Here's the important thing: don't look for something grand and fundamental at the moment, for which you can be grateful. For example, to be healthy and to feel great, not to starve, while thousands of people around the world are starving every day and more. All of this, of course, is very important, but it sounds too abstract.

There is joy and beauty in every moment of our lives! In the incredible color of the morning sky, in a pattern on hand-knitted sweaters, in the comfort of your room, the aroma of a cup of morning coffee, the chirping of birds under the window!

Of course, the abstract components of the present moment are also of great importance, which we often underestimate. Think, for example, when you go to bed on a warm bed at night, about how, at that moment, homeless people are hiding somewhere in the cold basements and abandoned attics. This is the source of gratitude - in your experience, not in your thoughts.

Cultivating gratitude, focusing on momentary joys and pleasures, forms a completely different perception of life. You no longer look for reasons of gratitude in your head, but simply live, rejoicing and observing the joys of the small moments. Thus, you will learn to appreciate even the bad days, because if you want, in every minute of any day you can find at least one tiny but positive thing.

These little joys are already mine. You don't have to be convinced that these are good opportunities for gratitude. It doesn't matter if others understand me or just smile. I feel good and happy. And I'm sincerely grateful in life for that.

These beautiful little moments can be very tiny and insignificant. But they bring us joy and satisfaction, and that matters. Every detail has been given to us from above and it is not certain that it will be repeated in a day.

Through such small and momentary joys come the realization of truly fundamental things in our lives. A hot dinner on the table, the warmth, and safety of your kitchen, the presence of loved ones at this table right now, right now - that fills our hearts with joy!