Have you ever considered that the smallest and simplest things in life can be the most powerful? I am talking about how a simple change in perspective can lead to a transformative shift from a miserable existence to a fulfilling and joyful life. It may seem like a far-fetched theory, but the truth is that the key to contentment is gratitude.
You may think that I’m saying all of this because it sounds great, that’s why today’s post is all about me convincing you of the immense benefits that gratitude can bring to your life, and why you should incorporate it into your daily practices.
The key to contentment is gratitude, So what exactly is gratitude?
Why are there so many people who have everything that should make them happy, have achieved a lot in their lives, and yet are still unhappy? On the other hand, some people live a very ordinary and humble lives, despite facing adversity and hardship, are deeply happy.
This suggests that happiness comes from something other than external circumstances. If you think that happiness makes you grateful, then think again, as it is actually gratefulness that makes you happy.
Gratitude is not just a fleeting emotion; it’s a mindset that can bring about a sense of constant thankfulness and grace.
By acknowledging and appreciating all aspects of our lives, both positive and negative, big or small, we can cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude. When we make gratitude a way of life, rather than confining it to just one holiday Thanksgiving each year, we can experience a greater sense of fulfillment and satisfaction in all areas of our lives.
“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”
William Arthur Ward
Gratitude shield us from stresses and depressions
Gratitude has the power to create happiness instantly by redirecting our mind from the negative aspects to the good things in life. It’s like cleaning a dirty window and replacing it with a rose-tinted glass that allows us to see the world through a different lense.
Gratitude also acts as a key to contentment by shielding us from feelings of envy and disappointment, regardless of how our situation compares to others. When we practice gratitude, we are less likely to be affected by temporary setbacks, enabling us to handle life’s challenges more effectively.
It’s no surprise that both philosophy and religion place great importance on gratitude and its positive effects on social relationships. Cicero considered gratitude as the root of all virtues, while Aristotle believed that expressing gratitude helped to strengthen bonds between individuals.
Gratitude improves our brain functions: It’s like a natural Omega 3
Now let’s look at some research study on the benefits of gratitude.
According to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, practicing gratitude can increase activity in the hypothalamus, a critical brain region responsible for regulating stress and other physiological processes.
The study also found that gratitude can boost levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure and reward.
Similarly, another study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology showed that participants who wrote letters expressing gratitude exhibited increased activation in the medial prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain involved in processing reward and positive social interactions.
Another study published in the journal NeuroImage found that people who regularly practice gratitude showed greater activation in the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain associated with cognitive control and decision-making.
Read more about the research paper about “Neural correlates of gratitude” by Glenn R. Fox,* Jonas Kaplan, Hanna Damasio, and Antonio Damasio here.
How cool is that!
Grattitude improve self-esteem and confidence:
When we are feeling grateful about ourself, we stop blaming or criticsize ourself. You may be surprised by how often we engage in self-criticism on a daily basis, which can lead to low self-esteem and an inability to love ourselves.
By focusing on the positive aspects of our lives, we can gain a deeper appreciation for our strengths and accomplishments, thereby building confidence and self-appreciation.
We learn to respect each phase of our lives instead of constantly comparing ourselves to others.
The gratitude mindset emphasizes the potential for growth and improvement, rather than dwelling on our flaws and mistakes. This positive mindset is essential for achieving success.
There are times when I find myself becoming cynical and easily irritated by everything around me. However, I have learned to shift my focus towards myself and appreciate the blessings in my life. By practicing gratitude, I am amazed at how quickly it changes my mood and mindset, leading to a more optimistic and positive outlook.
I become more empathetic towards those who are facing real struggles. When I express gratitude towards others, I can observe its positive impact on them, which in turn uplifts their mood and brings them joy, and that in itself brings me happiness.
Simple daily gratitude practices you can start today:
I hope that now you understand more about why people say “the key to contentment is gratitude.”
With all the great benefits here, but and the best part is that it is not hard at all to incorporate into your daily life.
Keep a gratitude journal:
Every day, you can start by simply writing down three things you are grateful for. This can be anything from a good cup of coffee to a kind word from a friend.
Express gratitude to others:
Take time to thank the people in your life for the things they do for you. This can be as simple as saying “thank you” to your barista or telling a loved one how much you appreciate them. Even if the circumstances don’t allow for direct expression of gratitude, simply being aware of and acknowledging the good things you receive can make a difference.
Whenever you feel grateful and express love towards others, positive energy is spread from you towards them. This positivity can have a significant influence on that person, lifting their spirits and bringing joy to their day.
Practice mindfulness:
Take a few moments each day to focus on the present moment and appreciate the things around you. This could be as simple as taking a deep breath and noticing the beauty of nature around you. You can check out my post about mindfulness here.
Practice gratitude during meals:
Before eating, take a moment to appreciate the food in front of you and the people who made it possible.Reflect on the effort and resources that went into growing, harvesting, transporting, and preparing the food and use this moment to connect with those around you and share gratitude together.
Use visual reminders:
Placing reminders of things you are grateful for around your home or workspace can be beneficial. It could be a photo of a loved one or a note with a positive message. This creates a happy place for you. Choose a place or even keep an image of a person that makes you feel happy or a past memory that you treasure.
This is very helpful when you are facing hardships, and it’s an effective way to control your emotions when you feel angry and might lose control of your behavior.
This is a quote come out of my favorite Ted talk about gratitude from a very deep and insightful man David Steindl-Rast:
“If you are grateful, you act out of a sense of enough (abundance) and not out of a sense of scarcity.”
And this couldn’t be more truth. you can listen to David Steindl-Rast ‘s talk about Gratitude here:
In conclusion, we – human often find ourselves constantly comparing our lives to others and wanting what they have and this take out our happiness. It is important to recognize that each of us has unique reasons to be happy. Being grateful dissolves our ego’s. Ask yourself a simple question: Are we ready to let our ego’s go? Is it more important to win or to be happy?
I hope this post inspired you to pratice gratefulness. Remember: The key to contentment is gratitude!
This is perfect! I love that you have chosen to show how being grateful leads you to being happy!! That is so totally true and worth acknowledging! I love the way you have explained exactly how it works and how it makes your body produce the chemicals for you to be happy! This is just amazing! I practice affirmations daily and this fits in with that really well!
Thank you so much for your kind words!
I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the article and that it resonated with you. It’s wonderful to hear that you also practice affirmations daily.
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my blog post!
I love your perspective in the article asserting that the key to contentment is gratitude Lily. If more of us shared your view their would be more happy people in the world.
A positive outlook will generally set a person’s sight on the good rather than any negative influences in their life. I have plenty in my life to be grateful for but I am curious what you would say to someone who claims the opposite, that their life is so bad that there’s nothing they can fathom to be thankful for?
Hi Joseph,
Thank you for such a great question!
I am sure there will be times when we feel so down that we think we don’t have anything in life to feel grateful for. But the fact is, each day is a new opportunity. As long as we are still alive and breathing, that’s something great to be thankful for. Opportunities are still out there!
Even if we are going through difficult times, we should remember that as long as we are alive and breathing, we have a lot to be thankful for. Our ability to wake up each day and continue to pursue our goals and dreams is a gift that not everyone is fortunate enough to have.
Hi Lily,
Thanks so much for this inspiring blog post. I often struggle with low self-esteem and quite often compare myself to others, and what they have that I don’t have. It’s something that I am working hard on. I have plenty to be thankful for, and it’s time that I start being grateful and appreciative of what I do have, in order to be happier. Thanks for offering some tips on how I can implement this into my daily life.
Thank you for your kind comment.
It’s true that comparing ourselves to others and feeling like we’re lacking is a common struggle that many people face.
I hope that my post was helpful to you on your journey towards greater self-love.