Gratitude is getting a great deal of attention these days within the realm of positive psychology. Studies show that gratitude not only can be deliberately cultivated, but can increase levels of well-being and happiness among those who do cultivate it. In addition, grateful thinking—and especially expression of it to others—is associated with increased levels of energy, optimism, and empathy.
The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness (depending on the context). It is a thankful appreciation for what we receive, whether tangible or intangible. In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with helping people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. Although most studies cannot prove cause and effect, they do support an association between gratitude and an individual’s well-being. A deliberate practice of gratefulness helps us refocus on what we have instead of what we lack. And, although a deliberate practice of gratefulness might feel artificial at first, this mental state grows stronger with use and practice.
Brain research suggests that consistent feelings of gratitude may actually affect brain health by creating feelings of optimism and determination resulting in fewer reports of body pains, less depression and anxiety, and improved sleep. Alex Korb, PhD, a UCLA postdoctoral researcher, says being thankful can increase your brain’s ‘reward circuits’ and relates this to something called the ‘virtuous cycle’ of the brain. He says “the brain only has so much power to focus its attention. It cannot easily focus on both positive and negative stimuli. On top of that the brain loves to fall for the confirmation bias – that is, it looks for things that prove what it already believes to be true. So once you start seeing things to be grateful for, your brain starts looking for more things to be grateful for. That’s how the virtuous cycle gets created.”
Our personal well-being is far more important than status and possessions. The greatest obstacles to gratitude are envy, greed, pride, and narcissism. Materialism is not happiness. That feeling of entitlement will never bring joy. Happiness is peace of mind and all too often in this fast-paced roller coaster life, that concept is lost. The characteristics that define those people who can handle adversity – faith, hope, love, gratitude – are the same characteristics that define people who will have a happy, healthy and productive life. We all have bad days because life’s not perfect, but when life gives us a blow it can be very helpful to write down the current things that we have to be grateful for … Seeing those things in writing itself, and even the act of writing, can be calming and cathartic.
Life is a gift. Freedom is a gift. Employment is a gift. Friends and loved ones are gifts. Your very breath at this moment is a gift. Viewing life with grateful eyes gives insight that life owes you nothing … allowing gratitude to work its humbling magic. Gratefulness is one of the primary steps to enhancing your skill of Positive Presence!
Catherine is the President and CEO of CORPORATE HARMONY, providing virtual solutions for leadership development and organizational culture change. Her leadership and coaching experience as a Project Manager in an ever-changing, fast moving technological organization with unrelenting demands drove her to the realization that a positive mindset and strength-building behaviors are essential for today’s complex and chaotic organizational systems. CORPORATE HARMONY’s virtual platform of programs, coaching and performance measurement, is an innovative online technology of tested proprietary content. The world-class content of CORPORATE HARMONY’s Positive Presence Program develops the skill of ‘Positive Presence’ and the necessary ‘Positive Presence Behaviour Competencies’ for maintaining a positive and energized mindset and increased performance in today’s complex work environment, and leading to a culture of collaboration and connection. Catherine’s vision for Corporate Harmony is to bring the skill of “Positive Presence” to the corporate world as it becomes more complex, ambiguous and chaotic. Catherine is uniquely positioned to impact organizations’ productivity and long term success, with her powerful vision of eliminating bad stress from every workplace around the globe, bringing purpose into the people equation to promote healthy, productive and meaningful work cultures and turn the tide on the neglect of mental health on a global scale. Catherine is author of the book: “CORPORATE HARMONY – The Performance Link for Today’s Modern Organization” Catherine can be reached at: Catherine.Osborne@corporateharmony.ca or go to ‘contact us’ on our website www.corporateharmony.ca. Catherine is available for consultation, and can be reached by 519-695-3407.