Why Gratitude Is So Important?

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What is Gratitude?

The Dictionary calls gratitude: the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

Gratitude is not something we should focus on at Thanksgiving. It needs to be a regular part of your life. 

Gratitude Soothes You

It’s hard to be both stressed and grateful at the same time. While you can’t always choose your circumstances, you can lean into positive vibes by practicing gratitude no matter where you are or what’s going on.

Not only does gratitude soothe you mentally, it can also be good for you physically. Studies have shown that choosing to be grateful can alter your perception of pain, including chronic pain.

Gratitude Focuses You

It can be tempting to view all the things you don’t have in your life. Maybe you don’t have a car as nice as your friend’s. Perhaps your job isn’t as glamourous as someone else’s. Maybe you don’t have a lot of money or a big, beautiful house.

Here are some wins when you focus on gratitude: 

  • It helps you focus on the important things in life, like your family, friends, and community. 
  • Your relationships matter far more than any material thing you might want.
  • Paying attention to what you have increases your capacity to bring more into your life. 

I think of the idea that good brings in more good, meaning when we focus on the good, we see even more good. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gratitude Energizes You

Without gratitude, it’s easy to slip into the victim mindset. You tell yourself things like: 

  • “I’m just destined to be a loser.” 
  • “I can’t have an amazing life.” 
  • “I’ve never had it easy, so why should I expect anything to change?”

But gratitude flips the script entirely. Instead of being the victim in the story, you become the hero. The one who overcomes the odds to build a beautiful life filled with blessings and abundance. 

Gratitude offers many gifts if you’re willing to change your perspective and look at them. You never know what you might discover when you start viewing life through the lens of gratitude!

Invite Gratitude in as a Practice.

When we have gratitude as a practice means we are actively focused on it. It takes attention and focus to see what we can be grateful for. I like to practice it a few minutes each day. I have a journal I have been using and I write down 5 different things I am grateful for each day. This practice keeps my mind on what is good in my life. Give it a try!

Truthfully, gratitude can change your whole life—find out how when you download your free Gratitude eBook and Journal! Get it now- here is the link

Kim McLaughlin, MA is a Counselor, Speaker, Podcaster, and Inspirational Coach who specializes in working with people who suffer from binge eating and emotional eating. She is a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. She is the author of the book Feed Your Soul Nourish Your Life! A Six Step System to Peace with Food and the Amazon #1 Best Selling book Discovery Your Inspiration. 

You can find Kim on her podcast Feed Your Soul with Kim and you can find it on all podcast platforms. 

Wondering if you are an emotional eater? Sign up for the free Am I an Emotional Eater Quiz.