What is Gratitude?
/Before beginning the 101 Days of Gratitude Challenge, it's good to get clear on what is gratitude anyway.
Ironically, it's easy to take it for granted while at the same time, gratitude is something that helps us not take things for granted.
According to Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown, she defines gratitude as "an emotion that reflects our deep appreciation for what we value, what brings meaning to your lives, and what makes us feel connected to ourselves and others."
She also points out that appreciation is at the core of many of our positive emotions.
Humans are designed to seek out newness and because of that it's easy to get bored or under stimulated by many of the some old things that make up our lives -- the relationships, our possessions, the day-to-day activities that we do for weeks or years. But most people can admit that the new car or love interest can become less new pretty quickly.
However, acknowledging what we appreciate about the drive to work, the weekly family meal, our homes, our bodies, is a sure-fire way to find newness in what makes up our lives.
But I want to know what you think. What is gratitude to you? Let me know in the comments below.
Don't forget to sign up to get weekly reminders to practice gratitude, ideas for keeping this practice new, and inspiration from others in the Upward Spiral Gratitude Challenge Community.
