A number of years ago now I came across the most beautiful short video about gratitude narrated by Brother David Steindl-Rast, a Benedictine monk and author. It is only a few minutes long, however by the time I had finished watching it, much to my surprise, I felt quite emotional. Why, I wondered, did it have the effect of evoking such a strange mix of emotions – an odd combination of both happy and sad. It had, I think, made me realise just how much I took for granted and how much I had to be thankful for. It also made me realise that it is one thing to think about gratitude but quite another to really feel it.
Since then I have tried to remember, even for a few short moments each day, to pay attention to the things I am grateful for. As I’m lacing up my shoes to go for a run, for example, I feel grateful for the fact that I am physically capable of running and how good running makes me feel. When I hop into bed at night I feel grateful to have a roof over my head, for the safe and comfortable place I have to sleep. When I’m out hiking I feel grateful for the natural beauty that exists in the world. Gratitude has an immediately uplifting effect and quietens the voice inside my head that so often worries and analyses.
I realise that talking about being grateful may sound preachy; that it can be too simplistic to simply say to someone “oh you should be grateful, there’s so much to be grateful for”. We all have our own difficulties and challenges in life and it is important to acknowledge and address these as best we can. I do think, however, that taking the time to remember the things that we are grateful for can give us a broader perspective and context within which to view what’s going on in our lives.
While gratitude can’t be forced it can be developed by choosing to practice and cultivate it. You might like to start a simple gratitude practice in which you make a note of three things that you are grateful for, large or small, each day. You don’t need to over think it or worry about recording the most important things in your life each time. Just write whatever comes to mind – everyday will be different.*
Once gratitude starts to touch your heart you are likely to find it arising spontaneously at any moment during your day. I hope you enjoy Brother David’s video as much I still do (it is a great one to keep bookmarked and keep coming back to) and that wherever you are and whatever you are doing that you are having a good day!
*If you sign up to our monthly e-newsletter you will receive a beautiful ‘Wellbeing eJournal’ which includes a gratitude exercise.
