Gratitude is a Positive Attitude

Gratitude as an attitude is calming and empowering. 

It's a wonderful thing that we have the ability to self-reflect. 

Instead of using our self-talk to be harsh on ourselves we can use it to encourage and to self -praise. 

If something you wanted didn't go to plan, instead of thinking in terms of loss or failure, you can frame the situation differently. 

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''By acknowledging your own efforts you are thanking yourself & appreciating yourself....this is empowerment.''

You can take on the attitude that you tried and did your best. ​By acknowledging your own efforts you are thanking yourself and appreciating yourself. Doing that is a lot more positive than criticising yourself.

You are more likely to be empowered to try again if you see this one situation in a more positive context.

Just because you were not successful now or things didn't work out like how you wanted them to, does not mean you yourself are a failure. The reality is success and positive results often comes from sustained effort. 

''Your thinking is reflected in your actions.''

You see, what you are thinking reflects how you see the world around you. ​Your thinking is reflected in your actions. So, what you are thinking is very important.

The wonderful thing is we can have control on our thinking such as changing our attitude to a positive one. 

Change your attitude and then your whole world changes. ​

''Change your attitude, and then your whole world changes.''

By taking a moment to appreciate what you have achieved so far gives you the opportunity to relax a little. To reflect a moment on all that you can be thankful for is a positive action for you to take.

Remember, our minds and bodies are interconnected. We respond physically to our emotional thoughts. 

When we think a harsh or upsetting thought, our body responds with stress hormones and our muscles tense. 

In reverse, when we think of happy soothing thoughts our body reacts by relaxing muscles and releasing 'feel good' hormones. 
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Even a simple thought such as being appreciative of the blue sky or your nice lunch is a positive thought.

​​To focus on a positive, no matter what that positive is, distracts you from focusing on the negative. 

It is a simple but powerful technique of stress management to alter your attitude in this way. ​

An attitude of gratitude connects us with others.

In times of anxiety, stress and upset we have the ability to take a moment to consider the many interactions we have had with others where they were nice or kind to us. We can actually feel good and even be grateful for all those small gestures that occur on a daily basis from other people.

Instead of focusing on where we have been let down, we have the ability to change our thoughts to recall those that have supported us.

Even if we are in a situation where we have been let down by a particular person, we can still bring our minds to other people who treated us well. This can have a calming and empowering effect, changing our perspective. ​

Our memory can conjure up those happy and positive times. Even in times of crisis we can do this and actually find ourselves smiling at those memories. 

We are far more likely to smile at or be kind to others when we have acknowledged how important those interactions can be.

​The concept of 'Paying it Forward' whereby we pass on positive feelings to others is all part of this positive attitude. 

To be in control of your thoughts is an essential self help tool. 

​The ability to alter our perception as you can see can make us more aware and centred in ourselves. This is the very essence of calm self control. 

To be aware of and in control of your thoughts is an essential self help tool. It is a tool that can be taught to you and supported through psychotherapy and counselling.

A psychotherapist such as myself would teach you such tools so that you can self manage your moods and perception.

It is important that outside of a therapy session you are self managing. The ability to switch your perspective is a very helpful resource.

References: 
Positive Psychology research and discussion on 'What is Gratitude' - Click here

Clarity Therapy offers counselling and support services for when you need it. Online & Phone sessions are available.