Gratitude & Focusing On What You Love

Gratitude may carry a certain frequency but did you know that it doesn’t have to come with emotion? When a person is seeking the feeling of a thing, they may overlook the thing itself. It is very possible to be grateful and not “feel” it because gratitude, like most states of being, begins in the mind. With focus and attention, the feeling itself may occur. So, if gratitude isn’t an emotion, what is it? At its core, gratitude is being pleased with a thing so much that you are thankful for it. It can be seen as the acknowledgement of the benefit rendered from experiencing a person, place, or thing.

Because gratitude starts in the mind, focusing on and acknowledging what you love and appreciate is a form of practicing gratitude. Beyond the emotion is this awareness of the beauty and goodness in your life. And the powerful thing about this truth is that there is at least one thing you can be grateful for. Again, gratitude is the result of being pleased with a thing. When we are looking for the feeling first, it is easy to become frustrated.

Meditating on the point of your thankfulness allows it to grow into a feeling. It brings the gratitude from the mind and into the body as an emotion. As many know, the more you focus on a thing the greater it becomes in your mind’s eye. With that being focus on what you love.

Life Work

 Based on this article, set aside at least 10 minutes to consider the following:

• Do you look at gratitude as an emotion or mindset?

• Do you resist gratitude or joy? If so, consider why?

• Consider one thing you are grateful for? Sit in that gratefulness for a few minutes or as long as you can.

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