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Mindful Appreciation

Gratitude is one of the most powerful gifts that we can give others and ourselves. When we nurture an attitude of gratitude, we stimulate a positive mindset and ignite the regularity of abundance. The messages that are consistently pushed in our world today continue to fuel the desire for “more”, so intentionally pausing, recognizing, and addressing the good that we already have in our lives is a simplistic way to be more satisfied, joyful, and content. While I do know this to be true, it doesn’t always immediately activate in my everyday life by default. I have constantly lived in an environment where the first response is a negative one.

Someone asks, “How are you?” My immediate response is usually “I’m tired, but hanging in there.” Someone asks, “How was your day?” My response is often “frustrating actually, but I am pushing through.” The truth is that, while I may find moments where my body would like to rest, I do have many moments throughout the day where I am energized or motivated, and while I may have had a few occurrences that might be bothersome, every single experience I have is surely not all “frustrating”. So, why do I tend to only focus on, highlight, and share the negative in my responses? I used to think it was because I was “trying to be honest”, rather than respond with the cookie-cutter clichés like, “fine thank you” and “great how about you?”

To me, being transparent with the struggles was admirable because it was being real, and people like real and need real. However, I realize now that it has actually hardwired me to be an actively negative person in general. I have trained myself to be so “honest” about the adversities, that it is now an actual struggle to find the areas of progression and positivity. This month has been an actual challenge to strive to stay in an attitude of gratefulness and appreciation: training myself to replace words like, “frustrating” with “challenging” and phrases like, “I’m tired” to “I am thankful for and looking forward to rest.” However, I have a power source of positivity for a husband, who gently corrects me and consistently refocusing my attention on the things are true, lovely, pure, and good. I am learning that actively practicing gratitude on a consistent basis can actually rewire my brain for happiness and success.

Actively seeking out the good in every situation helps to push out the thoughts that are unhelpful, disruptive, negative, and harmful, and it helps avoid the tendency to automatically default to my negative nature. Rather than complaining about my current circumstances, the key is to be grateful for where I am while actively walking towards where I want to go. Then, I don’t have to wait for elaborate things to happen in my life in order to be grateful.

There is an old hymn that I remember my mother and my nana singing. I can still hear Nana’s squeaky little Italian voice chanting “Count your blessings, name them one by one,” and see Mommy’s clenched fist hammering on beat. I never knew the significance of the words in that song until now when I realize how important it is to put aside areas that overwhelm, and count my MANY blessings, literally one by one if needed, to visibly remind myself of all that the Lord has done in my life. When I focus on the simple joys and pleasures of life, I find myself surrounded by blessings for which I am so thankful.

“Count Your Many Blessings”:

Verse 1:
When upon life’s billows you
are tempest – tossed,
When you are discouraged,
thinking all is lost ,
Count your many blessings;
name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Verse 2:
Are you ever burdened with
a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy
you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings;
ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the
days go by.

Verse 3:
When you look at others with
their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised
you his wealth untold.
Count your many blessings;
money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor
your home on high.

Verse 4:
So amid the conflict , whether
great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is
over all.
Count your many blessings;
angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to
your journey’s end.

Chorus:
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your blessings;
See what God hath done.
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings;
See what God hath done.

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