Today is World Gratitude Day. It is wonderful that a day has been dedicated to gratitude. Today, and I hope every day, we can find reasons to express our gratitude. Researchers have now identified the important role of gratitude in promoting wellbeing.
I often find the way that gratitude is conceptualised as perplexing. It is often defined as the appreciation of what is valuable and meaningful to oneself. It is considered a state of thankfulness and/or appreciation.
Gratitude is seen as an emotion that is always directed towards appreciating the helpful actions of other people. However, this often fails to fully capture the various aspects of life that many people report to be sources of gratitude. Gratitude is also considered part of a wider life orientation towards noticing and appreciating the positive in the world.
I love the advice of Susan Rhoads, author of a blog – The difference between gratitude and thankfulness. She explains that gratitude is more than a feeling. She states that being thankful is a feeling, and being grateful is an action.
Gratitude goes much deeper than being thankful. She describes it as a state of being, where you feel a sense of appreciation that comes from deep within. You are at peace with the world, and appreciate that state of affair deep within. The feeling of calm these thoughts and emotions bring to mind we find fulfilling.
Rhoads explains that gratitude requires us to stay alert to the role of others in our life:
Its about living out that gratitude through the simple things we do every day. Gratitude is the manifestation of love, devotion and commitment towards those who mean the most to you.
What are you grateful for in your day?
For example, I feel an immense sense of gratitude every morning when I awake to experience a new day. I am grateful for the amazing people that that work at Perfect Potion. I truly am grateful to have the opportunity to connect with you through this blog. I am grateful for my family and friends that I have. One of the ways we can begin to become more aware of those little things in life in which we experience gratitude is to keep a gratitude journal.
Can we be grateful for the beautiful essential oils that we use?
I believe so. It’s those essential oils that you connect with, it is those essential oils that help you find your purpose that you will be most grateful for.
Which essential oil am I most grateful for?
This must be ylang ylang. The intoxicating sweet floral aroma of ylang ylang nourishes my heart and soul. It evokes a deep sense of calm while at the same time arousing my passionate nature. I honestly feel as if this oil was made just for me. I love all my oils, but I am truly grateful for ylang ylang because it helps me to connect with others. And helps me be who I am.
Which essential oil are your truly grateful for?
References
Wood AM et al. Gratitude and well-being: a review and theoretical integration. Clinical Psychology Review. 2010. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2010.03.005
Rhoads S. The difference between gratitude and thankfulness. Downloaded on 21 Sep 2021 from https://www.psychmc.com/articles/difference-between-gratitude-and-thankfulness
