The Most Powerful Relationship You Can Have

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, many people have relationships on their mind.

Everyone knows that relationships (finding them, keeping them, thriving in them) can be complicated.

There is one relationship you have 100% control over and it happens to be the most important one you can have: your relationship with gratitude.

The practice of being grateful is not just a bunch of woo woo nonsense. Gratitude lists, gratitude letters, gratitude-oriented mindfulness… have been scientifically researched and proven to increase our well-being.

Practicing gratitude is one of the most healing choices you can make.

Gratitude is centering: It re-wires the brain away from survival mode.

Gratitude is grounding: It can pull us out of anxious thoughts about the future and into the present.

Gratitude is refreshing: It can restore our sense of well-being and hope.

Gratitude is connecting: It can help us feel more connected to ourselves and to others.

And the best part, gratitude is FREE, EASY, & ALMOST ALWAYS AVAILABLE. (Insert joke about the other things we want to be free, easy, and almost always available.)  

In summary, gratitude is the celery juice of the soul. ;)

What’s the main trick to having your gratitude game on point?

BE SPECIFIC.

The more specific and detailed you are about what you’re grateful for and why, and the more time you take to reflect on the reasons for those feelings, the more effective and powerful your gratitude practice will be.

Instead of saying “I’m grateful for my apartment,” how about “I’m grateful to not just have a roof over my head, but to have a place that really feels like home. I am grateful for the bright light I get in the morning, my cozy sofa where I love to relax and read, and the kitchen where I can make meals that nurture me and my loved ones and taste delicious.”

Instead of saying “I’m grateful for my Aunt Susie” how about “I’m grateful for how supportive, kind, and encouraging Aunt Susie is. I’m grateful that when I’m having a bad day, she’s always a person I can call and cry to without judgement.”

Regardless of your (romantic) relationship status, I hope you’ll be able to use specificity to help upgrade your gratitude relationship status and reap the rewards.

Grateful for YOU,

Dr. Therese