The Impact of Gratitude

I have got my daily planner notebook. In there, you find a section of gratitude list. I normally write there the things I am grateful for.

What I noticed is it switches my mind to the brighter side. For example when I judge myself that I am not good enough and not worthy, I go to that gratitude list and start writing the good things that happened in that particular day. It is like a reminder that life is too big and generous.

I can’t forget this conversation I had with a psychology therapist when she told me: Hudham, look at you. The qualities you already have. Your outfits and appearance. The impact you already cause in the people around you. Aren’t those worth mentioning and talking about?

It is just when your mind is so used to old habits like judging, criticizing, blaming and finding all the reasons why I am not good enough, it can get hard to practice gratitude.

In this regard, I like to remember this recite from the Holy Book of Quran when Allah mentioned: if you thank me I give you more. Also expanding our thanks not just to the things we hold directly but towards life like appreciating the skies and earth, sinking in our breathing, seeing and hearing, thanking the day and night and recognizing the chance to wake up and work in the morning and the chance to rest and sleep at night. All these blessings when you mention them, you find peace, calmness, comfort, acceptance and releif in the present moment. Whatever the thing you are suffering from gets less heavy and simple to process.

So the next time you catch yourself complaining, judging, blaming and being so negative of yourself or the other person, go to your gratitude list. What are the good things that already happen in your life? What are the good qualities you already have? What opportunities that difficult circumstance is providing you? What are the things you can thankfully mention them and give your appreciation for?