Blog Spot - with Clive Allwright

Practicing Gratitude Creates Happiness

I recently returned home to Australia after spending the last 7 months living in the UK with my dad. During my time away, I learnt so much about myself, my dad and his illness also my family back in England. Some of whom I hadn’t seen for many years.

It was certainly challenging being away from my wife and children, my business, colleagues and close friends for such a long time.

I am also very grateful to be given the gift to take this opportunity to create new beautiful memories of fun and laughter, with all my family and friends in and around London and England’s stunningly beautiful countryside. It was also tough going some days. I found myself having to dig deep and remind myself why I was on the other side of the world, so far from my home of many decades.

I was away from everything and anything from my comfort zone. My lack of familiarity of some the most basic things, I had become so accustomed too. Like, a decent cup of coffee, or knowing where things are in the supermarket, or learning to park facing the wrong way on a street, takes a little getting used too.

As I mentioned in my previous blog, one of the ways I got through some the toughest days was to journal my day and thoughts. Another great practice was to write a gratitude list of all the amazing things I am thankful for in my life today.

Gratitude is a powerful force that can positively impact our lives in countless ways. It is a feeling of appreciation for what we have, whether it’s something as simple as a beautiful day or as significant as the people we love. When we focus on gratitude, we shift our attention away from what we lack and instead focus on what we have, which can bring greater joy, peace, and contentment into our lives.

There are many reasons why gratitude is important. First and foremost, it helps us to cultivate a positive mindset. When we take time to acknowledge and appreciate the good things in our lives, we create a sense of abundance and positivity that can help us navigate difficult times. Studies have shown that people who regularly practice gratitude tend to be more optimistic, experience greater levels of happiness and wellbeing, and have a more positive outlook on life.

Gratitude can also help us to build stronger relationships. When we express gratitude to others, we show them that we appreciate and value them. This can deepen our connection with them and help to build trust and intimacy in our relationships. In addition, when we are grateful for the people in our lives, we are more likely to treat them with kindness and compassion, which can strengthen our bonds with them. Another benefit of gratitude is that it can help us to become more resilient in the face of challenges.

When we focus on the things we are grateful for, we build a reserve of positive emotions that can help us cope with stress and adversity. This can help us to bounce back more quickly from setbacks and to maintain a sense of perspective when things don’t go as planned.

So how can we cultivate gratitude in our daily lives? Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Keep a gratitude journal. Take a few minutes each day to write down a few things you are grateful for. They can be big or small, and they can be related to any aspect of your life. The act of writing them down can help to solidify your appreciation for them and make them feel more real.

2. Practice mindfulness. Take time each day to tune into your surroundings and appreciate the beauty around you. Whether you’re out in nature or simply enjoying a quiet moment at home or even in the salon,

take a few deep breaths and allow yourself to fully immerse in the moment.

3. Express gratitude to others. Take time to thank the people in your life who make a difference. Whether it’s a friend who listened to you vent or a co-worker who helped you with a difficult haircut or colour, let them know that you appreciate them.

4. Look for the silver lining. When faced with challenges or setbacks, try to focus on the positive aspects of the situation. For example, if you’re going through a difficult time at work, you could be grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow from the experience.

5. Practice gratitude in challenging situations. When things get tough, it can be easy to focus on what’s going wrong. Instead, try to find something to be grateful for in the midst of the challenge. For example, if you’re dealing with a health issue, you could be grateful for the support of your loved ones or the knowledge that you’re receiving the best possible care.

By practicing gratitude regularly, we can transform our lives in powerful ways. We can become more resilient, more positive, and more connected to the people around us. So, take a few minutes each day to focus on the things you’re grateful for, and see how it can transform your life for the better.

With gratitude Clive xx