Gratitude:cultivate thankfullness

🙏Hare Krishna To All Dear Devotees🙏🙏 .

यत्करोषि यदश्नासि यज्जुहोषि ददासि यत्‌।

यत्तपस्यसि कौन्तेय तत्कुरुष्व मदर्पणम्‌।। (B.G 9.27 )

"Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul."

Gratitude is the practice of expressing appreciation for the good things in our lives. However, in modern civilization, we often get caught up in the pursuit of material success and forget to acknowledge the blessings that we already have. In this blog, we will explore the importance of gratitude in our life, and provide some examples and lessons to help you cultivate a greater sense of gratitude in your own life.

Why gratitude is so important ?

"Research has shown that practicing gratitude can have a positive impact on our mental and physical health, our relationships, and our overall sense of happiness and wellbeing. By focusing on the good things in our lives, we can shift our perspective from one of lack to one of abundance, and cultivate a more positive outlook on life."

Gratitude in the Face of Adversity :

In modern civilization, we are often faced with challenges and setbacks that can leave us feeling discouraged and defeated. However, even in the face of adversity, there is always something to be grateful for. For example, if we lose our job, we can be grateful for the skills and experience that we have gained, and for the support of our loved ones. By focusing on the positive aspects of difficult situations, we can cultivate a sense of resilience and strength.

Tips for cultivate gratitude :

Affirmation :-

Affirmations can play a helpful role in cultivating gratitude by reinforcing positive thoughts and beliefs. Affirmations are statements that we repeat to ourselves to affirm our positive beliefs and attitudes. When we use affirmations to focus on the good things in our lives, we reinforce our sense of gratitude and appreciation.

Practice patience :

Expecting immediate results can lead to disappointment and frustration, which can make it difficult to cultivate gratitude. Instead of expecting immediate results, practice patience and trust that the outcomes will come in due time. This can help us appreciate the journey and the lessons we learn along the way.

Learn from mistakes :

When we make a mistake, we can choose to view it as an opportunity to learn and grow. By acknowledging our mistake and taking steps to correct it, we can develop a greater sense of self-awareness and personal responsibility. This process can help us appreciate the role our mistakes play in our personal growth and development and cultivate a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to learn from our experiences.

Embrace change :

Fear of change can prevent us from seeing the positive aspects of our lives and hinder our ability to cultivate gratitude. Instead of fearing change, try to embrace it and see it as an opportunity for learning something.

The world doesn't owe them anything :

To say that the world doesn't owe someone anything means that they shouldn't expect to receive anything from the world without first earning or deserving it. This perspective is relevant when considering gratitude because it reminds us that we should not take things for granted, and instead, we should be grateful for what we have.

We have no guarantee card of life :

The reality of life is that there are no guarantees, and we cannot control everything that happens to us. While this can be daunting, it can also be an opportunity to cultivate gratitude for what we have in the present moment. When we recognize that we do not have a guarantee that everything will be okay, we can learn to appreciate the good things we have in our lives. We can be grateful for our health, our relationships, and the opportunities we have to pursue our passions and interests. This perspective helps us focus on the present moment and appreciate the positive aspects of our lives.

Practice makes perfect :

Finally, cultivating gratitude is a practice that requires consistent effort and mindfulness. Just as we need to exercise regularly to maintain our physical health, we need to practice gratitude regularly to cultivate a grateful mindset. Spiritual practices like meditation, chanting, or yoga can help us to connect with the divine and cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude and appreciation for the blessings in our lives. 

Important bonus tips :

These tips are inspired from holy book bhagavad Gita .If you follow one of the yogas, such as KarmYog , BhaktiYog, or DhyanYog, with dedication and sincerity, gratitude can be automatically generated as a natural outcome of the practice.

1.KarmYog: Karma Yoga emphasizes the path of selfless action and service to others. By doing our duties with a sense of detachment and without expectation of rewards, we can develop a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to serve and make a positive impact on others' lives.

2.DhyanYog: Dhyana Yoga emphasizes the practice of meditation and mindfulness. By developing a calm and clear mind, we can cultivate a sense of gratitude for the present moment and the beauty of life that surrounds us.

3.BhaktiYog: Bhakti Yoga focuses on cultivating a loving relationship with the Divine through devotion, prayer, and worship. By expressing gratitude and love towards the Divine, we can develop a deeper connection and appreciation for the grace and blessings in our lives.

In conclusion, cultivating gratitude is an essential practice for achieving inner peace and happiness. By expressing gratitude for the blessings in our lives, we acknowledge the abundance that surrounds us and open ourselves up to receiving more. As sachchidanand  Parmatma Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, "Those who are thankful for even a little will receive much more." So, let us make it a habit to express gratitude daily, even for the small things, and appreciate the beauty of life that surrounds us. By doing so, we can transform our perspective and live a more fulfilling and joyful life.

                             -Krishn Das Prakash.