An Attitude of Gratitude

So, during the considerable thinking I did during the weekend, I RE-RECOGNIZED something I already KNEW, but had somehow lost track of.  This re-recognition, I believe, will be a partial way I can change myself into a person who feels more "alive" and potentially more "content".  I know and understand that this is NOT some deep, philosophical construct and that it is simple (and some might say "polly-annish") logic.  I believe that one important step I can make toward feeling more alive and content is to more consistently develop and attitude of gratitude.   

An attitude of gratitude is a mindset where a person consistently focuses on and appreciates the positive things in their life, whether they are large or small.   And a rather important aspect of this is to strive to reduce dwelling on problems and/or failings as much as is reasonable.  

In many ways, the formation of an attitude of gratitude is a CONSCIOUS choice to recognize positives and to be sure to give them the appropriate "weight" they warrant given that for most (or at least for ME) my failings, my faults, and my problems seem to amplify in my mind.... and I am thinking that at least SOME of the time they are amplifying beyond what is warranted. I have read about this technique before, and I believe it has merit. My hope is that cultivating this attitude can potentially lead me to increases in happiness, optimism, and well-being. 

Some of the things I am going to try to have become a consistent habit for me include:

Conjuring up in my mind, daily appreciation.  I have been trying since Friday to sit for a few minutes before I start to read in bed at night.... and to mentally list at least FIVE things that I am grateful for from the day.  On rough days, it may be quite simple things like having been able to eat nourishing food, or having gotten up in a timely way in the morning.  But, on other days the list can expand and may have many elaborate components.  Reminding myself of anything I can think of that was positive..... makes it less likely I will focus on or at least less likely I will be overcome by negative things that may have occurred.  

I am trying to MORE verbally express gratitude.  Thus far, I have been more specific and more frequent in letting my wife know how and why I so appreciate and love her.  After Mass on Saturday as we were walking out, I specifically thanked my Retiree Cigar Group friend for getting me involved in the group.  I thanked our priest for his especially thought-provoking Homily.  I even thanked my dog for her companionship.   

I am also ACCEPTING that I ruminate and I do not think I will ever be able to master NOT ruminating.  But, INSTEAD of ruminating on things that HURT, I am trying to muster an ability to ruminate about positive thoughts and positive emotions I experience.  

I am also TRYING to develop an attitude where I can acknowledge I do some positive things.  I have been trying to reawaken an appreciation for things I do that can be identified as positives for others.  I have been thinking about how my effort in teaching is helping students reach their career aspirations, how my carefulness in care for my dog has allowed her to be quite robust and healthy at 13 years of age.  

Thus far, my efforts in the above have been able to shape my days and nights to be more peaceful.  And, for me that is very positive.  

I do not think the above represents ALL the work I need to do, by any means.  But, as an attempt to improve.... I feel the trajectory HAS moved in a better direction.  

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