Episode 247: ABG Favorites - Gratitude Takes Effort - Here's How We Do It (Ep 88)
Nov 24, 2023
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The podcast discusses the importance of gratitude and the effort required to cultivate it. They talk about barriers to gratitude and ways to overcome them. They also discuss the holiday season and a shopping platform that offers cashback. The hosts express gratitude for their lives and share personal experiences. They discuss viewing their past selves as separate people and accepting difficult experiences. They also talk about using an online tool for collaboration and implementing a gratitude exercise involving a jar. The hosts read out anonymous gratitude notes and express their appreciation for each other and the listeners. They reflect on shared experiences and discuss their future goals.
59:06
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Quick takeaways
Practicing gratitude improves physical and mental health, self-esteem, and the ability to share love with others.
Finding barriers that prevent gratitude and addressing them is essential.
Being grateful for past experiences, including struggles, can lead to personal growth and empathy towards others.
Deep dives
The Power of Practicing Gratitude
Practicing gratitude is a powerful and beneficial emotion that can improve various aspects of our lives, including physical health, sleep, happiness, self-esteem, relationships, resilience, and mental well-being. Gratitude rewires our brains, activating feel-good neurotransmitters and creating feelings of happiness and contentment. However, gratitude requires effort and doesn't come easily for most people. Internal factors such as mood, negative thoughts, ego, fear, and lack of attention can hinder our ability to feel grateful. Slowing down, reflecting, and being intentional with our time are ways to cultivate gratitude. Finding barriers or blocks that prevent us from feeling grateful and addressing them is essential. It's important to practice gratitude for small conveniences and to be present in the current moment. We should flex the gratitude muscle by actively working on it, just as we do with physical exercises. Gratitude journaling, meditation, and reflecting on birthdays are some ways to incorporate gratitude into our daily lives.
Embracing Solitude and Delayed Gratitude
Learning to be grateful for solitude and delayed gratification are important lessons. Being single during challenging times can create feelings of loneliness and a longing for companionship. However, it's an opportunity for personal growth, self-discovery, and the pursuit of independence. Embracing solitude allows for introspection, exploration, and freedom to make decisions without considering a partner. Gratitude can be cultivated for the ability to focus on personal goals and accomplishments. Similarly, delayed gratitude involves appreciating the journey and finding contentment in the present moment, rather than fixating on future achievements. Gratitude should not be tied solely to external circumstances, but rather to the ability to be present and appreciate life's small moments and blessings.
Accepting and Embracing Our Past
Learning to be grateful for our past experiences, including struggles and hardships, is a transformative practice. Accepting and being thankful for our younger selves, who have endured internal battles and challenges, is essential for personal growth. Reflecting on past difficulties can lead to strength and self-awareness. Acknowledging and appreciating the lessons learned from depression and other mental health struggles can foster resilience and empathy towards others. Accepting and finding gratitude for the journey we have traveled can bring peace, self-compassion, and a deeper understanding of ourselves. Being grateful for the ability to overcome internal struggles empowers us to share our experiences and support others in their own journeys.
Practicing gratitude and finding happiness
The podcast episode discusses the importance of practicing gratitude and finding happiness in life. The hosts share their personal experiences and reflections on being grateful for the opportunities, friendships, and personal growth they have experienced through their podcast journey. They emphasize the significance of taking time to appreciate the little things, maintain a positive outlook, and be resilient in the face of challenges. The hosts also highlight the power of their podcast platform to bring moments of peace and inspiration to listeners. Overall, the episode encourages listeners to practice gratitude for a happier and more fulfilling life.
Expressing gratitude for everyday things
In this part of the podcast, the hosts engage in a gratitude exercise where they share two things they take for granted but are actually thankful for. They express appreciation for diverse aspects, such as the ability to move and stay active at an older age, having a supportive sibling who takes care of their parents, the joy of spending quality time with grandparents, the privilege of having clean drinking water, and personal qualities like resilience and patience. The hosts reflect on personal growth and finding a foundation for happiness. They also mention the importance of persistence in pursuing goals and how it contributes to overall fulfillment. The episode highlights the power of gratitude in finding contentment and encouraging self-reflection.
This season of holiday gatherings with friends and family is a great time to remind yourself of what you’re thankful for. However, with busy lives and so much going on, gratitude doesn’t always come easily. After all, we are built for survival, not happiness. So this week, we wanted to remind ourselves to slow down and reflect on what we’re grateful for, with a replay of one of our favorite episodes. Practicing gratitude is shown to improve physical and mental health, build your self-esteem, and benefit your ability to share love with others. This episode is one we go back to often, so we hope it can help you feel peaceful and grounded during this time.