Find Strength in Gratitude
Gratitude is like a muscle - the more you use it, the stronger it gets.
Hi there,
So, something else today. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to take things for granted? I know I have. And I don’t mean important stuff like having a roof over your head or food on the table – though those are also quite important. I’m talking about the little, everyday things that we barely stop to think about.
Like how warm a cup of coffee feels in your hands on a cold snowy winter morning (although we haven’t had a lot of those this winter). Or the sound of a favorite song that always lifts your mood (thanks DJ Bobo, Chihuahua is once again stuck in my head!). Or even something as simple as the smile from a stranger on the subway that makes your day just a little bit brighter.
I’ve been thinking a lot about gratitude lately. Not in some glamorous change your life overnight kind of way, but as something small and steady, like brushing your teeth in the morning or checking your email before going to sleep. I read somewhere that gratitude is like a muscle – you have to use it to make it stronger. I really wish I had thought of this, but yeah, it was a (probably AI-generated) listicle of 50 or so thoughts I saw on Medium. At first, this one sounded kind of weird but I guess that’s why it stuck with me. So, does saying thank you more often really change anything? I kept thinking about it, so I gave it a try.
And you know how gratitude doesn’t just make you feel good in the moment? It sort of rewires your brain and you start noticing things you’d normally overlook. Like the way sunlight filters through the trees (cheesy, I know), or how your favorite sweater feels just right on a chilly day (this too, but still true). It’s not that these things weren’t there before. It’s that you weren’t paying attention. And suddenly, when you do, you feel good about it all.
I started small. Each night, I’d think of three things I was grateful for that day. It was usually quite easy – almost every day my son would wait for me and run towards me when I get back from work. Still, it was still hard sometimes, like when the day felt too long, and everything seemed to go wrong. But even on those days, I could find something. Maybe it was the way the new air freshener smelled in the bathroom, or how good it felt to finally sit down after running around all day and spend time with my son and wife.
At first, it felt kinda silly lying in bed, thinking about three things I’m grateful for. Like, Do I really need to make a list to remind myself I’m lucky? But the more I did it, the more natural it became. It wasn’t just about finding things to be grateful for – it was about noticing them in the moment. That cup of coffee? I’d pause for a second to really enjoy it, instead of rushing through it. That smile from the usually grumpy cashier? I’d smile back and carry it with me the rest of the day.
And here’s the thing I started to notice – this whole gratitude thing starts to spill over into other parts of your life. When you focus on what you’re grateful for, you spend less time worrying about what you don’t have. It’s not that you stop wanting things or striving for better. It’s just that you’re not so fixated on what’s missing. You make room for what’s already there and already good.
I’ve also noticed how gratitude changes the way we see other people. It’s easier to let go of little annoyances when you’re focused on what you appreciate about someone. Maybe that coworker who drives you nuts also has a great sense of humor. Maybe the neighbor who always parks too close to your car is the same one who helped you shovel your driveway last winter. When you choose to see the good, it’s like the bad shrinks a little. I was trying to come up with some grand comparison to light and darkness and how they overtake each other’s space, but couldn’t really formulate anything spectacular, so there you have it – the good shrinks the bad. 😅
It’s not magic, of course. Gratitude doesn’t make problems disappear (oh, how I wish it did). But it does make them feel smaller, more manageable. It reminds you that even when things are tough, there’s still good to hold onto. Like that old saying ChatGPT came up with when I asked for something smart about the positive effects of gratitude, not every day is good, but there’s something good in every day.
You know what else I’ve realized? Gratitude isn’t just about noticing the good stuff – it’s about sharing it. Telling someone you appreciate them doesn’t just make their day; it makes yours better, too. It’s like the two-for-one donner kebab deals we had near our school back in the day. And it doesn’t have to be anything big. A quick text, a kind word, or even just a smile can go a long way (almost as long as a kebab!).
And, of course, the best part is that gratitude is free. You don’t need to spend any money or time. It’s something you can do right now, in this very moment. Just look around and find one thing that you’re grateful for. Maybe it’s something as small as the chair you’re sitting on, or as big as the sound of your children’s laughter in the background, or simply the fact that you made it through another day.
Tonight, before you go to bed, think of three things you’re grateful for. They don’t have to be huge. Maybe it’s your favorite meal, or a funny video you watched, or the way your dog wags its tail when you come home, you get the point. But think about it and write down the first three that come to mind. You can do it in your journal, on your list of tasks for the day, or in whatever notes app your phone has. And then, do it again tomorrow. And the next day. And the next.
You’ll probably be surprised at how quickly it becomes a habit. And how much brighter life feels when you’re actively looking for the good in it instead of focusing on the bad.
I’ll leave you with another cheesy though I read on an Instagram post (yep, I’m that old!). Gratitude doesn’t just make you happier, it makes you stronger and more capable to tackle hardship. Because when you train yourself to always see the good, you eventually realize it’s always there – even on the hard days.
Hey, thanks for reading and sharing with your friends. It helps me grow and reach more people that might find value in what I have to share.
See you next week,
Dobri 🍃