Better Health, Better Wealth, Better Self
There is a ton of proported “magic” solutions all over the internet, youtube, or even your favorite streaming service that suggests what you can do to have better health, better wealth, or just feel better about yourself. I don’t want to pretend here that I’ve got that secret potion that will solve all your problems; however, I’ve learned there is something that just improves your mood, your perspective, and your outlook on everything past, present and future.
It was counsel that Paul the Apostle gave over and over again in his preaching to both Jew and Gentile. It has been taught to us by Prophets of old and Prophets of the Latter-days. Most importantly, our Savior Jesus Christ himself consistently demonstrated it almost every time He is recorded in raising His voice to His Heavenly Father in prayer.
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Gratitude is a skill that requires practice to develop, but the benefits are proven to be much more than spiritual in nature. Research studies have shown that those with an “attitude of gratitude” tend to experience better relationships, better sleep, lower levels of depression and suicidal thoughts, lower blood pressure, fewer body aches, increased energy and enthusiasm, lower rates of PTSD, less stress, and increased feelings of self-worth (Morin, A., https://amymorinlcsw.com/9-powerful-ways-gratitude-can-change-your-life, 2015).
“We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an atitude of gratitude.”
I know, you’re probably thinking right now, “Oh great, here’s another thing to add to my long list of other things I should really work on in myself that would take away all my problems.” Let’s take a step back from that defensive thought though. I get it, as I often feel that way while sitting in Sunday School or while reading the endless stream of articles of self-improvement online.
In the October 2021 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was introduced to a different concept that has helped change my perspective. Elder Michael A. Dunn spoke about the British Cycling team prior to 2003 and the lack of success they had in the Olympics, Tour de France, or really any other significant competition. Things began to change though after they brought in Sir Dave Brailsford. Brailsford didn’t come in saying the team needed to change everything right away. Instead he focused on what he called, “the aggregation of marginal gains.” I’m not going to provide you an exhaustive review of what this really meant; that has been done already and I recommend you to review Elder Dunn’s talk or read some of the writings of James Clear including his description of what Brailsford did to turn around the British Cycling Team (see https://jamesclear.com/marginal-gains). The important concept is to simply focus on making small and simple improvements, even in just 1% ways, every day. Such small gains aggregate over time and produce incredible change in us and those around us.
So I invite you and I to incorporate gratitude more in our daily lives in small 1% ways. Here are some ideas you CAN do every day:
Share five things you are grateful for with someone you love.
Send a friend or family member a text or email that tells them what you are grateful for that day.
Tell your kids one thing you are grateful for that happened that day while eating dinner together.
Grab a notebook or piece of paper and write down five things you are grateful for that day.
Tell a co-worker or boss one thing that you are grateful for about your work or job next time you feel like complaining.
Learn more about Gratitude Here:
