Why to reflect and practice gratitude?

“You see, we all have many sleeping talents inside of us. By taking the time to get to know them, we kindle them. However, silent contemplation will deliver even more than this. This practice will make you stronger, more at ease with yourself and wiser. It is a very rewarding use of your mind.” (From “The monk who sold his ferrari” by Robin Sharma)

I learnt about this during my yoga teacher training: The power of taking time to actually think about my day. The power of personal introspection.

That doesn’t mean you have to achieve something big every day. Every little thing counts.

Taking time to reflect has made me more aware of my achievements: When I manage to stay calm in a situation where I would have gotten nervous or angry before. When I try something that I’ve been practicing on, and it suddenly works. And of course: When someone shares their help or time with me.
These are my little moments of gratitude.
Acknowledging the resources we have, is another way to be grateful: Nature. The sun. Fresh air. When I came back to Europe, I felt very grateful for our water quality, that I can drink water directly from the tap and that I have warm water to shower. And it’s something I still appreciate every day. 

Whether it’s an acknowledgement or achievement: How often do you honestly think about these things?

By taking the time to reflect, you will also get to know yourself better. You might discover new reactions and new talents in yourself. You might get clarity on a specific event or emotion. Our days pass so quickly that it’s impossible to be conscious about everything that happened.
Unless you stop for a moment and ask yourself:

• How was my day?
• What was/were my personal highlight(s)?
• What did I Iearn today?
• What didn’t go so well? What would I do differently?
• What am I proud of?
• What am I grateful for? Who am I grateful for?

It’s a very easy and powerful way to close your day. And to prepare mentally for the next.
Being grateful for the little things will make you happier over time.

How did you feel with this practice?