The Power of Gratitude in Achieving Success
“Thank you” is a simple statement loaded with meaning and power. After a meal and when something great happens, gratitude starts a cycle of positivity that expands and gives us more things to be grateful for. It’s taken for granted in our society – where people tend to measure what they lack and not what they’ve been blessed with. In many ways, we plant seeds of discontentment, whenever we complain about minor things or when we don’t take the moment to acknowledge the many wonderful things we have in our lives. Sure, we don’t have everything and we might still wish for more, but how can we receive more if we don’t show how happy we can be with less? Ironically, the world most content people don’t have the fancy and luxurious trappings we covet they have their gratitude and that provides them with much fulfillment.
It’s a Path to Fulfillment
Gratitude is powerful because instead of discontentment it puts us on the frequency that makes it possible for us to enjoy where we are right now. Discontentment breeds voids and that leads to a constant need to fill them. You’ll always want something shinier and better to replace the thing you got that didn’t really make you happy in the first place. The feeling of constantly wanting more doesn’t go away until you consider the thought that you might already have enough. On the other hand, gratitude breeds satisfaction and the joy that comes with being fortunate to do things others only dream about. By getting onto the right frequency, you’ll set yourself up for success because you’ll be too busy chasing your passions instead of counting your possessions.
It Gives You a Greater Responsibility for your Possessions
We live in a throw away culture where things are so quickly replaceable. The problem with this culture is that it has made us reckless owners. We waste food, buy new gadgets when the old ones are still in great condition and we buy things we don’t really want because they’re easily available. This curbs gratitude in a major way and breeds discontentment. Remember when you saved up for something you couldn’t really afford and you managed to get it? Remember how well you took care of it because you were grateful that you were able to afford it? When it comes to possessions, this should be our approach – taking care of our belongings because we are fortunate to have them.
It Gives Us Depth
Society can be very shallow and nothing shows this more than how ungrateful we can be about the little inconveniences in life. By practicing gratitude, we approach life with a lot more depth and learn to appreciate even the things that don’t cost a thing. Gratitude goes against the grain of materialism and we learn to get the most of what we already have and make sure we’re doing all we can to extract value from what we have in our lives. Whether it’s people, possessions or experiences – gratitude breeds real meaningful value which we miss out on whenever we complain and moan about facing a small set back.
It Forces us to Look Outside of Ourselves
When you are content and feel that you have everything you need, what is the next step? The ability to see the needs of other people and come up with ways to help them. When you believe that the cup runs over for you, it becomes so easy to extend yourself to the people whose lives you can impact. You don’t have to do great things to make a difference, but through gratitude you’ll find yourself being a lot more compassionate and driven by the need to serve and help people and not just the need to serve your own happiness. If you are able to drive yourself to see outside of your own word, outside of your own gains and needs – you achieve depth and you really start to see the world as it should be, an opportunity to be a giver, and have a greater purpose that goes beyond the immediate environment you’re in. That, more than anything brings out the best in us.
3 Ways to Practice Gratitude
- Take Note: Invest in a gratitude journal. Every single day write 3 things that you’re grateful to have experienced.
- Take Care: Take better care of your possessions, instead of handling them recklessly.
- Change Perspective: Make sure you’re grateful for things other than money and possessions. Your family, your friends and the little miracles we experience in our lives – those are the true blessings.
- Stop Complaining: Life has its little inconveniences, and while they are incredibly annoying they don’t spell the end of the world. Learn to stop complaining because it creates a cycle of dissatisfaction that never ends.
