Coping Skills: Gratitude

What’s the power of gratitude? Before I get into that, I had a thought; we have so many tools before us to help us to cope with life’s ups and downs and upside downs. Now, back to the power of gratitude. Gratitude is very grounding. It brings you a reality check when you are trying to charge your life on the credit of the future, past, or present circumstances. Gratitude has the power to uplift you. Gratitude helps you notice the important of the little things and the things you tend normalize. I mean, we take for granted we have a roof over our heads sometimes. We may forget some of the huge challenges we have faced and overcome.

Gratitude is the respirator of a positive life. So, breathe it in. It is a reminder of whats really important. Have you ever began to spiral or spazz out about something and when you pause and you reflect you say, “You know what? I have so many other things to be grateful for. I am grateful for my life, my breath, the health that I do have and if I am still here, just like other things, I will get through this.” Maybe you didn’t say that but you became grateful for all that you have right now. And it made you realize what was important.

And then think about who you are grateful for in your life. I am grateful for anyone that shows compassion towards me. I am grateful for anyone that helps me. I am grateful for good doctors. I am grateful for a kind nurse or a kind cashier. I am grateful for whatever version of help or kindness that come my way via a person I know or a complete stranger. Gratitude can strengthen relationships. Think about when your partner says, “I am grateful you were there for me.” Or when you say it to a friend, “Thank you for all that you have done for in my time of sorrow or need.” You tend to think tenderly on people who have been there for you.

Gratitude, the power to help us cope.

~Nikki