On gratitude...

I had a testing experience on holiday, and I wanted to share the reminder it gave me. It's so easy to forget the simple things that can make a different to our lived experience, and it was good to have the opportunity to re-learn.

The car we booked in advance for some reason was not administered correctly and we had no transport for our many planned activities in a 10 day trip. We managed to get a tiny car much smaller than we would prefer and we used that for our trips.

It was easy to be annoyed at the speed bleeding away every time we went up a hill, and the lack of space to fit everyone in. After a period of much familial moaning, I had an idea. I got focused on helping everyone to count gratitudes, and it helped.

We giggled our way up the hills, celebrated our speed coming down the other side, and commented frequently on the joy of being able to visit so many amazing places on our trip. 

We have the faff of sorting refunds now, but bigger than that is the powerful reminder of the benefit of counting blessings and being grateful for what I have rather than mournful for what has not come to pass. 

Making a quick list at the end of every day is a really effective way of tipping the balance of what you notice. When you know you have a list to compile later you’re more likely to be on the look out for things to celebrate and appreciate. I was surprised as I did this at all the tiny things that made a difference to my day when I took a breath to appreciate them.

You move towards what you think about, making it appreciative and grateful is a good way to re-balance the natural human negativity bias, and it makes for a better quality of life.

Now, I hope your holiday preparation or other important preparations all come to pass as you wish and you are glitch free, but if not, see how you can reframe the experience into one you can smile about and be thankful for, for therein lies a huge gift.

#gratitude #mentalhealth #depression