Being Grateful In Times of Grief

Being Grateful In Times of Grief

By Dhyani Joshi

The feeling of gratitude is important for us to appreciate our existence and the people around us, but it can easily be replaced by disappointment, anger, jealousy, resentment, and greed. Although gratitude teaches us empathy and generosity, it is difficult to feel grateful at times. Here are some ways you can feel grateful in times of grief—

• Say yes to things you have never done before. This action might lead to new and exciting experiences.

• Write down things you are grateful for every day. It is a very common exercise, but to express deep gratitude, it is suggested that you write why you are grateful for the things you are grateful for.

• Stop obsessing over what others have. You will receive everything you want when the time is right. Try to avoid feelings of jealousy, envy, or resentment in this process.

• Self-reflect. Try to get to know more about yourself. This will result in a deeper understanding of yourself; this way, you will know what you are truly grateful for (Suggestion: try shadow work).

• Make gratitude a habit. Even if you don't truly feel grateful, you can start by appreciating things or people you admire. 

• Try to understand the struggles of people around you. This will evoke empathy for others and that generally makes you feel grateful in turn.

• Embrace failures and setbacks. Know that when things will finally start working out for you, you will be proud of yourself for being resilient.