Practicing Gratitude

Today–Sunday, September 21–marks World Gratitude Day. Formally recognized by the United Nations in 1967 and credited to spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy, the day’s objective is to create a global movement of thankfulness.  Since then, research has demonstrated a correlation between gratitude and lower mortality rates, with the Mayo Clinic reporting “Studies have shown that feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood and immunity.”

With so much evidence showing the power of gratitude, why don’t we engage in the practice more often? A simple explanation is that our busy lives can feel difficult to keep up with. Gratitude demands a moment to pause and reflect. It requires us to focus on the positive, when our brains are hardwired for the negative. Psychology Today points out that today’s political climate makes the negative triggers harder to resist, so we need to work extra hard to notice the good.

When we choose to notice the good, however small, our perspective begins to shift. Gratitude doesn’t erase the negative, but it can soften it. Taking a moment of stillness may shift our outlook, allowing us to respond more productively, and above all, reminding us that beauty still exists in the world.

And there’s something deeply human about practicing gratitude, connecting us to ourselves and others.  We at Language of Friendship invite you to make this year’s World Gratitude Day the start of a new daily habit. Taking a moment to think of something that you’re thankful for, and if you are so moved, share it. You’ll see that gratitude can be contagious.