The Process of Showing Gratitude

By: Robbie Seymour

In times of great stress, it is important to focus more on the positive aspects and stay away from the negativity. The best way to let go of any negative emotions, be it stress or even anger, is to do something kind. This can be as simple as holding the door open for someone with a friendly smile, or as heroic as saving an innocent civilian from a burning building. Regardless of what the particular kind deed may be, kindness goes beyond making someone’s day better than it was before. Kindness can also help someone feel appreciated and be thankful for everything that they have in life, even if that person doesn’t have much to show gratitude for. Gratitude can really shape your perspective and your overall outlook on life, so it is crucial that you no longer let the days of uncertainty consume you.

Of course, this is much easier said than done, however, if you take a little bit of time out of your day to give thanks for what you have, your life may will take on a whole new meaning for you. A method that you can use to help find the exciting experiences and great people that have become a part of your life, is to start a gratitude journal. Take just only 10 minutes or even just five minutes and see how many things you can come up with. As you progress throughout the week, you’ll soon find that you have created a nice reminder that there is so much positivity out there if you seek it.

Well to start, why not show some gratitude for having a loving family? Yes, I know that family can be a pain at times, but the truth is, your family is both your cheerleader and your coach. Whenever you do something right, your family will shower you with praise and encouragement to show the pride that they feel witnessing you meet and even exceed their initial expectations of you. Although they may push you extremely hard at times, nag constantly, and correct you every time you commit a wrongdoing, the only reason they do this is because they care about you and want to watch you blossom into the best person that you can be. The tension that may occasionally happen is one of the many organic ingredients that go into forming a healthy functioning family. After all, disagreements come and go but that doesn’t mean that you stop loving one another. Just like any other relationship that you may have, conflicts are more often than not inevitable. The best thing that you can do is wait until the argument has finished, and then see if you can come to an understanding once everyone involved is calmer than they were before.

Take a moment to reflect on everything that your family has done and continues to do for you. I bet that you’ll begin to realize that your family truly has your back. Even at times when it seems that they are against you, for the affection that families feel for one another is strong and unconditional. Never forget that your family is the most prominent support group that you can ever have, so don’t push them away. For much like the saying, blood is thicker than water, the close lineage that you have in common with those who are a part of your family exceeds that of a shared last name and house. These people provide you with a sense of belonging and encompass your own identity. Always remember that the majority of the strength inside of you is a result of being nurtured, a product of true love that your family has bestowed upon you.

Now I know that I have touched on only one thing that you should be grateful for, but that does not mean that you should just limit your appreciation for the relationships and influential people in your life. Think about all of the opportunities and freedoms that you have; guaranteed in the Constitution, made by the American people for the American people. We, as Americans, should feel blessed and lucky that we can freely express what’s on our minds without facing harsh penalties or injustice. Sure, our nation may not be perfect, but through standing as one, we have truly come a long way and continue to make strides as time continues.

There’s a famous saying that goes like this: Rome was not built in a day. The same can be said about the process of showing gratitude. Although it can be a lengthy process, demonstrating a little appreciation at a time will allow you to find yourself more driven to attain your goals and acquire a powerful zest for life. Who knows? Perhaps you’ll be able to stare up into the sky and give thanks for having a clear blue sky and bright yellow sun that smiles and shines down upon you.