Use Power of Gratitude to Overcome Challenges

November is National Gratitude Month. As we prepare for Thanksgiving in the United States, here are five ways to express gratitude to turn negative situations into more fulfillment, greater success, and brighter results.

Implementing these five steps gets a person out of a rut and provides practical tools to use no matter what comes at them.

5 Ways to Express Gratitude

From the 12 key principles in my book, All the Right Reasons, one that continues to resonate is showing gratitude for everything around you,

1. Find the Positives

Don’t stop seeing the positive things even in trying times. Recent Harvard research shows gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude energizes people to feel more positive emotions, savor good experiences, improve health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships, according to Harvard Medical School.

2. Understand the Power of Change

Remind yourself that changes occur all the time in life, that you have the power to change, and that change leads to gratitude.

In my book, I talk about musician Eric Clapton’s struggle with addiction where, in a treatment facility Clapton said, “From that day until this, I have never failed to pray in the morning on my knees, asking for help and at night to express gratitude for my life, and most of all, for my sobriety. If you’re asking why I do all this, I will tell you. . . because it works, as simple as that.”

3. Treasure the Small Details

Some make lists of everything that needs their love, which is powerfully effective. Finding happiness in small things will welcome feelings of gratitude back into your life. Adding joy into your daily schedule is a fourth key step to increasing the benefits of gratitude.

4. Embrace Joy

Include regular doses of doing whatever brings you joy. For some, it’s watching a comedy. For others, it’s reading a book or sharing jokes, laughter, and conversation. Joy can help you better appreciate your family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. Embrace joy.

5. Keep Negative Emotions in Check

When we put pain in perspective, we realize many others have even more hardships than we do. That helps us realize we can get through our challenges, and we’re not alone. That viewpoint helps us understand that everyone faces trials, that we can do hard things, and that feeling grateful will lift us to higher levels.

The Power of Gratitude

I’ve found that the power of gratitude embodies respect, kindness, and warmth. Those are qualities that can change everything for the better, even for global icon Ringo Starr.

One of my lifelong idols, Ringo Starr, is one of the most gracious global celebrities I have ever met.

I have met numerous famous people. Many were aloof to adoring fans. But when I met Ringo Starr before one of his concerts, he was remarkably different. Ringo has spent a lifetime making people happy with his music and has immense power to make people happy just by showing them kindness and regard.

I saw firsthand that Ringo chooses to treat people with respect and warmth. He laughed and joked as if he had plenty of time to spend with us. He seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself.

When I stepped up for a picture, he put his arm around me, chatted for a bit, and displayed the peace and love signs he’s famous for. He was gracious and genuine to each person in the room. Because of how Ringo treated us, everyone in his meet-and-greet that day went away feeling good about themselves and loving Ringo even more.

I shared these thoughts and more in a news release that went out on Nov. 22, 2021.

Designed to help others find keys to successful careers and life, All the Right Reasons reveals 12 principles for living a life in harmony. All proceeds from sales of the bestseller are aimed at feeding two million meals to hungry children. Available on Amazon, each book sold provides 40 meals through The USANA Foundation.