Is Having The Attitude of Gratitude in Life a Skill?
By D Nyambu
Is having the attitude of gratitude in life a skill that can be learned? Most certainly, the attitude of gratitude is a skill that can be learned in life. From an early age, a child is taught to say “Thank You” for the little gifts that he or she receives. Cultivating a grateful character is one of the traits psychologist says brings ‘happiness’ to one’s life. People respond towards you better if you are a grateful person. Better still; good things tend to follow people who show gratitude for the smallest of gestures.
How does having an attitude of gratitude skill attract good things in life?
Showing gratitude to someone tends to bring a warm feeling in their heart. They feel loved and appreciated and are more comfortable hanging around you. This in turn builds your own self worth propelling your self esteem thus resulting to more positive energy. You will then become a happier person, will work better, produce results thus be prone to getting a promotion or become a success in your business venture.
Does one acquire the attitude of gratitude skill in life overnight?
For some reason, this skill, like any another skill is acquired over a period of time. It is taught during childhood but at some point in life, if not nurtured, may be lost to a first paced lifestyle that makes us take our possessions for granted or due to bitter experiences in life during our up-bringing.
The attitude of gratitude must therefore be a deliberate resolve to become a thankful person. It is a character trait that can be developed if practiced daily. One must deliberately re-focus their thoughts and mind to see the good of not only others around him but also of the surrounding environment in which they live in. This requires a change in mindset from focusing on the negatives to seeing things from a positive perspective. So what is gratitude anyway?
Gratitude is simply being thankful for the good things surrounding you. This could be as simple a thing as focusing your attention on some sounds of music, birds chirruping away in an early morning, scent from flowers or food in the oven, nature; such as the touch of sunrays on your skin, early morning fresh air…these are just a few examples of free things in life that one could be grateful for.
Grateful people enjoy a more robust healthier life than their ungrateful counterparts. They have more optimism towards life and are less depressed or discouraged. Does this mean then that we bury our heads in the sand and pretend all is well when things are really bad? Not at all! Gratitude is seeing something good even when going through a really bad experience; it is accepting the facts as they are and yet not allowing the circumstances weigh you down. This means keeping a positive attitude despite the reality surrounding you.
To improve your attitude to gratitude consider following these steps;
- Write down daily for seven days seven things that you are grateful for, for instance; I am grateful I got home safe and sound today, I am grateful for my children, friend, or spouse, I am thankful I have food on the table tonight.
- Avoid being pulled into negative conversations. Excuse yourself from the conversation and walk away or try and change the subject.
- Give advice to others to stay away from negative talk. Encourage them to think positively at all times because positive thinking breeds positive actions.
- Check out your responses to criticisms. Regard every criticism from a positive angle; it is a chance to improve on your flaws. Appreciate positive criticism; remember they simply want you to be better!
- Look out for small but creative ways to say ‘thank you’ to people around you. Be it with a smile, a kind gesture such as a simple thumbs-up, a small gift, a thank you note or card. You will be surprised at how much such a small gesture can accomplish in the other person’s life.
- Learn from your past experiences and let them be stepping stones towards a more mature confident and wise personality.
Stop complaining. Focus on the positive things happening around you. If it is within your reach, improve on the negative things surrounding you without being judgmental. Avoid causing pain to people through your speech and actions. It really all comes back to you, after all, what goes around comes around. Just remember that the same rode will be used to measure how much of it comes back to you…
©2016 Nurture Smart Youth Program Kenya
