Cultivate Gratitude | Day 5

What if you could shift your perspective by choosing gratitude in every moment?

I know pretty much every self-help pundit has talked about the importance of gratitude, so bear with me. There’s a good reason cultivating gratitude is such a common piece of advice—and it has too many benefits to pass up or pooh-pooh. Gratitude has the power to increase our decision-making abilities, because it puts us in a state of clarity and ease, which helps us gain clarity on what’s really going on rather than get caught in kneejerk emotional responses. Gratitude has the power to reduce stress, help us bounce back from adversity, and generally view our lives through a lens of joy and peace.

I will be the first to admit that gratitude doesn’t always come easy. But you don’t need to be an affirmation-spouter or the most cheerful person in the world to find something you are grateful for. People who think about, talk about, and act from a place of gratitude usually feel better about their lives and more optimistic about meeting challenges. Gratitude is a practice that helps put you in the driver’s seat while also making you feel connected to the beautiful things in your life that you might not even see or otherwise take for granted.