The Power of Gratitude

Sometimes, it is easier to give advice than to take it.

With my patients, I sometimes run a group on how to think positively. We discuss the interaction between thoughts, feelings and actions.

In order to be more positive, I suggest the following steps:

1. Identify the feeling.

2. Evaluate/Assess

3. Stop the negative thoughts or feelings.

4. Do the opposite: think, act or feel the reverse.

This past weekend, I had a unpleasant interaction with someone in program.  I was very hurt by this person’s behavior, and I struggled to make sense of the encounter.

The more I thought about the incident, the worse I felt. I could not get any relief.

Finally, I decided to stop thinking about what happened, and instead, focus on my 5 G’s: gratitude, good, growth, glitches/gains and goals.

The moment that I began to change the focus of my thoughts, I began to feel more optimistic and positive in general.

Our thoughts are very powerful. Negative thoughts lead to more negative thoughts and positive thoughts lead to more positive thoughts.

Remembering what I have to feel grateful for and appreciating all that I have changed my mood and transformed my experience of the day.

“Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances.”
– Benjamin Franklin

Reference:

daily writing 7-24-2016 red box