Promote Inner Peace with Gratitude: Overcome Disappointment and Negativity Dr. Karen Schuder, EdD, MDiv, MAM
Dark clouds outside matched my mood as I read yet another email starting with “Thank you for your application, but ….” Dejection did not help my recovery after leaving a toxic job. The beautiful view of fall colored trees outside my office window disappeared as I blinked back tears and yelled “I hate my life!” I stomped out of my office and when I came upon dirty clothes, I threw socks, t-shirts, and jeans into a basket as hard as I could. Disappointment and negativity caught me in their grip.
Family photos captured my attention as I walked through the house. I had been on the disappointment spiral before, and knew it didn’t lead to a healthy place. Seeing family reminded me to choose a different response and be grateful for what I did have.
Instead of cursing more, I proclaimed, “Thank you” to each family in the photos. When I loaded the washing machine, I gave thanks for the clothing, appliances, electricity, and water. While walking our dogs, I said, “Thank you!” for my faithful canine companions, lovely trees, and safety. Every task provided opportunities to express appreciation.
Gratitude opened the door to inner peace and hope. Mindfulness of so many things I take for granted flipped focus from what I didn’t have, to the positives of my life. My heart softened and soul smiled as I moved away from the disappointment and negativity.
Ever find yourself caught in the downward spiral of disappointment? Given the state of our world, it’s easy to fall into a negative cycle. Practicing gratitude is an easy and effective way to promote a healthy perspective. Try some of the following strategies to create inner calm with gratitude.
Choose a time or activity to practice gratitude daily. Take a few minutes to mentally list at least 5 things you are grateful for before getting up in the morning and going to bed at night. Think about what you are thankful for while brushing your teeth or waiting at a stop light. Create an easy way to get in the habit of being thankful.
Commit to expressing gratitude to at least 3 people each day. Write a note, call to share appreciation, or tell someone who helps you “Thank you.” On my cloudy day I said, “Thank you” to my husband, children, parents, friends, and people who helped me while doing errands. Sharing gratitude fosters positivity that goes beyond our own lives.
Expand perspective. Learn about people who live in different life circumstances. When all we see is our own disappointments, it is easy to get stuck in negativity. Each time I go to Honduras I am reminded to be thankful for things I often take for granted such as safe drinking water and decent plumbing. People who live with less, but radiate gratitude are a wonderful inspiration. Be inspired by others.
Include gratitude towards yourself. Express appreciation for what you bring into the world. This is especially important for those of us who have a perspective or live in a situation shouting “you’re not enough.” Replace the “I’m not enough” attitude with a more constructive mindset.
Develop simple statements you know are true and repeat them daily. “I’m thankful for being a kind person” or “I’m thankful for the way I help people feel respected” are much more helpful than harsh statements we tend towards when struggling. See the positives, especially if noticing the negatives is an automatic response.
Life is filled with challenges that can easily pull us into a downward spiral. The world itself seems to be in a disappointment and negativity tornado. We may not be able to stop the tornado on our own, but we can step outside of it by creating inner peace and fostering gratitude. Thank you for each time you choose gratitude, hope, peace, and positivity. Thank you for the beauty you bring into the world.
This article contains excerpts from Resilient and Sustainable Caring published by Whole Person Associates.
Karen Schuder, EdD, MDiv, MAM, speaker and best-selling author, promotes life balance, inner peace, and resilience. Years of helping people during traumatic times, leading organizations, and working globally inform her work with people in personal and professional helping roles. Karen offers life-changing concepts and practical strategies with an enjoyable, interactive approach. Check out Resilient and Sustainable Caring: Your Guide to Thrive While Helping Others. Learn more about how to foster a purpose driven culture characterized by resilience, positivity, and decreased anxiety at www.karenschuder.com.