Gratitude and an Authentic Life
How Gratitude and Leading an Authentic Life Go Together
Like Peanut Butter and Jelly
Practicing gratitude can be an immensely powerful tool in leading a healthier, more meaningful life. Studies have shown that those who express appreciation tend to have higher levels of happiness, wellbeing and better physical health. And at No Weigh, we feel that gratitude and leading an authentic life truly go hand-in-hand.
Defining Gratitude
Gratitude is often associated with the word “thankful”. You have likely used it in the past to emphasize how thankful you are to a person for their gesture. Here at No Weigh, we use gratitude to identify any experience for which the feeling of gratitude was evoked. The feeling is a powerful warmth, like that of experiencing love. Below are some adjectives to describe the feeling of gratitude, as it will be used in this program:
- Love
- Appreciation
- Warmth
- Connectedness
- Authenticity
Reflect and Connect
The feeling of gratitude comes from moments of connection and reflection. Taking a step back and noticing the people, moments, and experiences we have in our daily lives allows us to feel connected with our lives. Below are some examples of noticing beauty in the context of daily life –
- Feeling the sun on your back
- Watching a loved one concentrate on a task
- Sharing a look with a stranger
- Noticing someone being patient/kind to someone else
- Noticing someone taking their job seriously
- Looking up at the moon
How to Add it to Your Routine
One of the most important aspects of cultivating gratitude is to spend time each day reflecting on the individuals, experiences, and possessions we are thankful for. When we take the time to reflect, we can better appreciate the beauty of the world and the growth we’ve accomplished in our own lives.
A theme throughout our program is noticing. Beauty must be noticed to be consumed. Try this short exercise right now:
- Notice the subject of gratitude in this moment
- Now take a 3-second pause to fully experience the feeling
Take the example of a beautiful, warm spring day. A typical response to opening your front door to the perfect day is to simply say, “Oh, I don’t need a coat” and then continue on with the day. No doubt, some of the day’s beauty will affect everyone, whether they stop to soak it in or not. However, taking a 3-second pause to experience the beauty before walking out your door will leave a different impression on your perspective and awareness throughout your day.
Gratitude and Leading an Authentic Life
Being mindful of the small moments that impact us is a powerful tool. Having the opportunity to connect with others, taking time to reflect on our experiences, and expressing our true selves can help us to appreciate the beauty in the world, and recognize the value of the relationships we have. Through moments of connection and reflection, we can cultivate an attitude of thankfulness that brings more joy and contentment into our lives.
Are you ready for something different?
