Count Your Blessings

When was the last time you sat and thought about all the good things you have received in your life; and when was the last time you complained about someone or something, if not in words, but at least in your thoughts?

If you introspect on the last 24 hours of your life and take an account of how many times you have felt grateful about something, and how many times you have complained, the list of complains would probably be longer.

Now let’s do a simple experiment!

Think about something or somebody you have been unhappy with. Think of the reasons you’re unhappy about this person or situation. Now observe your state of mind. Do you feel good? Motivated to work? Optimistic about your future? Certainly not!

Now let’s shift our thinking. Think of something or somebody who has made your life better. It could be anything or anyone. That morning cup of coffee or green tea which you cherish. The opportunity to sit with your family and have a quiet meal. The security guard who opened the door for you while you were driving into your office. It doesn’t have to be something big or extraordinary.

Just take a moment and visualize yourself expressing gratitude to this person or inwardly feeling thankful for having these blessings in your life.

Now observe your internal state again. Are you in a better frame of mind to go ahead with your day? Feeling more pumped to work? Looking at the future with greater zeal?

This is what gratitude does to us!

Several studies have shown the positive effects of gratitude on our life. Let’s look at some of them.

1. More fulfilling relationships – It is easy to take people for granted, especially those who are close to us. But guess what? According to several psychological studies, feeling significant or important is one of the fundamental psychological needs of every human being. Be it your spouse, children or co-workers – everybody needs to, and likes to feel appreciated. It is only when we feel grateful for all they have done for and continue to do for us, that we truly appreciate their presence in our life. It is also important to express this appreciation through our words and actions. This makes the relationship stronger and more fulfilling.

2. Promotes teamwork and work performance – From a professional point of view, co-workers who feel more appreciated are likely to not only perform better, but also to go the extra mile to give their very best. This is something that all great leaders are able to inspire. Take note that being appreciative does not mean just praising people for every small thing. It could also be expressed in other ways like giving them due credit, giving greater autonomy, giving a raise or a bonus, or giving them greater responsibilities to manage, which shows that you trust and value them.

3. Improves mental health – Several studies have shown that people who count their blessings are less likely to feel depressed or suicidal, and those who may be depressed or suicidal, tend to heal faster with the conscious practice of gratitude.

4. Promotes good health – When we truly appreciate what we have in our lives, we are more likely to take care of the one thing we were born with – our physical body! A person who is cynical about life is less likely to think about what they eat and how they live their lives, as in their minds, their life would remain a mess irrespective of what they do!

Practicing gratitude is the antidote to this.

5. The Key to Abundance – Many of you may have heard this famous line from the Star Wars movies – Your focus determines your reality. From an energetic point of view, it is well known that our energy follows our thought or intention. Whatever you focus your energy on, will tend to get magnified.

In other words, when we keep focussing on what we don’t have, we are basically energizing and magnifying the lack in our lives. Instead, when we focus our attention on what we have, value and want in our lives, we are more likely to work for them and make way for abundance into our lives – not only of money, but of love, peace, health, wisdom and blessings!

By no means should these words be taken to mean that you are not allowed to think of the things that upset you. It is only natural and human to have all kinds of thoughts and emotions, including those of anger, pessimism, self-doubt, etc. Fanaticism about negative thoughts and emotions only leads to bottling up of the feelings within us, which are bound to create greater problems later on. What is important is to not get stuck with these feelings and let them overpower us, and by learning to express our feelings in a healthy way and to learn to regulate them.

Cultivating the Habit of Gratitude

1. Gratitude Mindset – One of the ways of forming a habit of gratitude is to develop the right mindset. Very often, due to an improper mindset, we tend to focus excessively on the problems in the world and the shortcomings of people around us. Developing the right attitude towards people (including oneself) and life in general, can help us observe and appreciate the good things in life.

In order to be able to observe the good around us, it is important to have a clean aura or energy body. A person who is filled with critical thoughts, anger, hatred and jealousy towards everybody tends to have an unwholesome aura, which allows them to only see the negativity around. It is like observing the world through a dirty window – everything is bound to look ugly!

One can have a cleaner aura by developing simple habits like meditation, breathing exercises, physical exercises and practicing Pranic Psychotherapy on oneself.

2. Gratitude Journal – Many people like to maintain a gratitude journal. At the end of the day, reflect and note down all the things during the entire day, for which you feel grateful. Continue adding new points everyday before going to bed. Try to note at least 5 points daily. This may seem a lot for some people initially, but once you are in the habit, you will notice that there are many things to be grateful about which we often take for granted (for example, your own self!). This is an excellent practice before dozing off as it is an optimal time to tune our subconscious mind in the desired direction.

3. Visualization & Affirmation – For those who prefer to go within and reflect, rather than writing, visualizations and affirmations can work equally well. Just sit comfortably or lie down quietly with your eyes closed, and reflect on all that you are grateful for, and mentally or verbally give thanks for each and everything. Try to recall and re-experience the feelings of happiness and appreciation for all those moments. 5 – 10 minutes of this exercise daily can work wonders for your life. You may do it at any point during the day, though doing it at the beginning of the day, before you get busy with your daily chores or/and before going to bed are optimal for the practice.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started now!

You may use this guided gratitude practice to help you along the way.