I used to wonder why the people who always expressed gratitude seemed to be the most upbeat and positive. To be honest, I often questioned whether their gratitude was genuine. With my generally high-achieving yet pessimistic outlook, it felt like a bit of packaging to get what they wanted. However, as I progressed in my career and became a mom, I started to notice a few things that changed my perspective.
Gratitude as a Mom
If you follow my personal social media, you might notice that I tend to do a lot with my girls. I love taking them to expensive amusement parks, beach vacations, and, more recently, exploring other countries based on their interests and our heritage. I’ve always believed in the adage, "I work hard, so I want to play hard." This doesn’t mean I’m out doing the most intense experiences, but it does mean that I deeply value the enjoyment that I’m privileged to experience based on the income I’ve earned.
When my children were still in diapers, I traveled with them even when others might not have because, even if they wouldn’t remember, I would. As they grew older (and tantrums took on different forms), another reason reinforced these plans: my girls express genuine gratitude for nearly every trip we’ve taken. Whether we’ve crossed an ocean or driven to a nearby water park, their appreciation has been consistent.
One trip in particular stands out in my memory. My girls said to me, “Mom, you’ve taken the dreams out of our heads and made them happen!” That expression of gratitude will probably stick with me forever. I continue to prioritize these adventures, both large and small, as part of my own self-care because their authentic gratitude motivates me to keep finding new experiences we’ll all enjoy.
Recently, on a family trip to Europe, my girls and I participated in a croissant making class where we were all grateful for the experience, the knowledge, and of course the amazing pastries!
Gratitude in My Career
I began to notice some trends in my professional life as well. At times, as decisions were made, I’d hear leaders say things like, "They should at least be grateful for X." Unfortunately, I can’t always exclude myself from having those thoughts or making those statements. When I was on the receiving end of such comments—whether they were directed at me or I was in the middle—it often made me feel devalued and frustrated.
On the other hand, I occasionally received unexpected notes of gratitude. Thankfully, these messages often arrived when I was really down and needed them most. I started keeping a folder of these messages, and I’d open it on particularly hard days or when I was about to tackle a difficult task.
Noticing how I was personally impacted by the presence or absence of gratitude made me realize something crucial: I hadn’t been expressing much gratitude myself. When I began to express more gratitude, a few things happened:
When I started with gratitude and acknowledgment, others viewed my comments as more solution-oriented and less like complaining. They became more willing to listen to my ideas.
People were more willing to share gratitude with me, which gave me more of those positive feelings I mentioned earlier.
As more gratitude was shared, team collaboration improved.
Each day, I felt more positivity and less frustration.
Any one of these changes would be worth the small effort of expressing more gratitude, but all of them together have made a world of difference.
The Science Behind Gratitude
Science shows us that practicing gratitude daily can help prevent burnout by shifting your perspective, increasing positivity, and refocusing your mind on what's important. Gratitude can also help you:
Reduce Stress: Gratitude can help you find positive meaning in negative events, which can expand your thought process and increase the likelihood of finding positive meaning in future events.
Increase Resilience: Gratitude helps you focus on the positive aspects of your life, improving your mood and overall well-being.
Enhance Self-Efficacy: Gratitude reinforces your sense of competence and accomplishments, motivating you to build on your strengths and work towards positive changes.
Strengthen Relationships: Gratitude creates a supportive environment, which is especially important in professions like healthcare or social work.
So, are there any reasons not to practice more gratitude? I encourage you to think of ways to increase gratitude in your life! If you’re unsure where to start, try my free 30-day gratitude journal. It’s a great way to begin your journey toward a more balanced, joyful, and purpose-driven life.
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