It is very common to hear people saying the word “gratitude” instead of “thank you”, when they feel grateful for a help, an aid or some kindness. On the internet, the hashtag gratitude (#gratitude) is one of the most mentioned in recent years. As you read this article right now, more than 1,1 million people are using the word on social media, and on commemorative dates like the New Year, for example, that number doubles.
Expressing feelings is an extremely beneficial practice for health in general. Many relationships start with this gesture, and we often surprise people by showing gratitude (depressed people tend to benefit from the practice of giving thanks).
The use of the word has the sole purpose of thanking, without receiving anything in return. In fact, there is no exchange! The person who shows gratitude automatically feels good energy when he sees that he has caused good to someone. It's automatic, you do good and receive good!
Let's understand better what it means and where the word gratitude comes from.
Gratitude: origin and meaning
From the Latin “gratitude”, the word gratitude, in Portuguese, means recognition for something beneficial that has happened to you. In fact, recognizing a good received is a great quality of the person who is grateful.
The word is believed to have emerged from Eastern philosophies such as yoga and the Buddhist religion. Even for practitioners of these philosophies, being grateful is something extremely natural, and not only for benefits received but for life, for the Universe, among others.
In a religious context, gratitude also refers to a feeling of expressing gratitude to God, which is a central theme of Christianity.
Having this feeling so pure is something that transcends our rational knowledge. It promotes a state of mind in which it is possible to be grateful not only for good events but also for not so pleasant events, as they represent the teachings or lessons of life.
Going a little deeper into the subject, let's talk about the energy contained in this very generous act that is to be grateful, because gratitude has the ability to connect us with the divine creative energy and with all beings that are in the same tune, leading through this positive vibration to prosperity, peace, love and many other good feelings.
the energy of gratitude
You can see that we give the Universe what we feel, and automatically it reflects every bit of feeling to us in greater dominance. If we are having a bad day, it seems that everything becomes bad. If we are discouraged, even the best news doesn't seem so encouraging.
Now, if we are happy with life and willing, there is no stone in our shoe that makes our spirits cloudy. Bad energies attract bad energies, and consecutively good energies attract good energies.
The point of gratitude energy is: if everything is bad, practice gratitude, and everything will get better. I'm not saying that gratitude will solve your problems, but it makes everything lighter and makes your energy field renewed, strengthening your spirit so that good feelings make a home, because the reflection of what you receive is the that you issue. Because, yes, you are the one who makes the day good or bad!
It is important to mention here that being grateful does not have much to do with optimism, but with intelligence, because in this way the Universe works in your favor.
How to practice gratitude in everyday life?
See 6 tips to practice gratitude and to see life with good eyes.
1. Notice the importance of the simple things in life
We usually wait for great events to surprise us, but our joy is not just in the news. Have you ever seen how the sky gets extremely blue at noon? Or have you noticed the relief that that wind that comes through the open window in the middle of a hot afternoon gives you? These extremely simple details are highlights of your day. Just imagine a child smiling at you with the purest feeling in the world without expecting anything in return! Allowing yourself to notice these little moments will surely make you grateful for the simplicity of life.
2. Plant and look for the good
There is no better way to thank the good received than to reciprocate with the good. It's a cycle: you receive good energies, you emanate good vibes and everything goes on like this. Your good energy produces more positivity and it all comes back to you.
3. Understand better what life is
Never forget the importance and privilege of being alive. You wake up every day, breathe, make plans and hug people. Look more inside yourself, question yourself and fully feel every moment you live. Give thanks!
4. Appreciate what you have
Don't just wish and hope to have what you don't have. Many people have much less than you and are extremely grateful. Gratitude is not just being grateful for something given or given, but knowing how to make good use of everything that life has to offer.
5. Beware of ingratitude
Before practicing gratitude, you need to take care of your thoughts and actions so that ingratitude doesn't stop you from seeing how grateful you can be.
If we are not careful with the ego, with stress, among other things that bring us bad feelings, good thoughts are quickly covered with the cloud that is ingratitude. Avoid this by directing your attention to the right side, always look for the positive or constructive side of situations. You have reasons all the time to be grateful!
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- Learn how gratitude is viewed by Buddhism
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- the power of gratitude
6. Of course, thank you!
Give thanks for life, for the air, for another sunny or rainy day. Look at people and show gratitude with a smile, with words, with the good energy that this act carries. Do good for someone without expecting anything in return, because remember: being grateful is like a cycle, good comes back to you!
