Abstract
In today’s article, Dr. Thomas Maples explores emotional health from the lens of gratitude. He will examine the role counting one’s blessings has on body, mind, and spiritual development. All of these are essential for emotional health. He will also offer a creative interpretation of the story of The Cock and the Jewel by Aesop. Aesop’s moral reminds us that blessings are in the eye of the beholder. He will then examine the role that directing our thoughts to the soul’s calling has on our ability to breathe, love, and seize the day, which is crucial for maintaining emotional health.
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Table of contents
To Understand Your Blessings
There once was a wise rooster. He pranced around his farm in bliss.
He pecked at it, working hard to uproot its brilliance. Yet when he finally unearthed its beauty, he found disheartening dissonance.
What was that was so shiny as to sway his attention so? It was a pearl left behind, for all the world to behold.
Yet, as he looked at his new shiny treasure, his stomach made its presence felt. For a pearl may be treasured by some, but a kernel of corn would lessen the hunger dealt.
Paraphrased from Aesop’s Fables The Cock and the Jewel
“Precious things are without value to those who cannot prize them.“
Aesop
Blessings and Emotional Health
“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”
– Marcus Aurelius
What does it take to honor our emotional space and create positive physical, mental, and spiritual health? This is an interesting question, that is simplistic to understand, but highly complex to carry out. Understanding the many facets of emotional health is essential to our lifelong development and well-being.
In today’s story, paraphrased from Aesop’s fable, we learn to count our blessings. The rooster can see a treasure. Something shiny that attracts his attention. Yet, when he unearths its presence, it is useless to him. Roosters need food, not jewels. As you can determine, he has his mind on something much more important, food. You see, if you don’t have food, what use is a shiny piece of treasure?
The Power of Gratitude on Emotional Health
Got stress? In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. In what seems like a constant pressure to strive for more, what would a psychology of gratitude look like?
Oftentimes, we focus on what we lack, rather than appreciating what we have. However, research suggests that taking the time to count your blessings can have a profound impact on your emotional well-being. Yet, to do so, we must also define what the tenets of a blessing are.
What Does “Counting Your Blessings” Mean?
For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
To arise, you have made it to another day. Each morning my feet touch the ground, with one foot I say Thank, and with the other foot I say You. I then pray. By taking time to acknowledge that which is greater, I prime my soul for any blessings that come.
Counting your blessings encompasses the practice of consciously acknowledging and appreciating the good things your life offers. It’s about shifting your focus from what’s missing to acknowledging what’s present. This can involve anything from your health and loved ones, to a beautiful sunset or a delicious meal. It starts with the words Thank You, and from there, let your imagination fill in the rest.
The Science Behind Gratitude and Emotional Health
Many studies show a positive correlation between gratitude and improved mental and emotional health. These studies have shown that gratitude helps:
- Reduce Stress and Anxiety
- Focusing on the positive aspects of your life can help to rewire your brain.
- Examining your blessings can make you less susceptible to stress and anxiety.
- Improve Mood
- Gratitude has been linked to increased levels of dopamine and serotonin.
- These are the “feel-good” neurotransmitters in your brain.
- Increase Resilience
- By acknowledging the good in your life, even during challenging times, you can build greater resilience.
- This will help you cope better with adversity and challenges life throws your way.
- Build Stronger Relationships
- Expressing gratitude to others can deepen your connections.
- Being grateful in a relationship will help others love you.
- Gratitude fosters a sense of mutual belonging.
Simple Ways to Incorporate Gratitude into Your Daily Life
- Keep a Gratitude Journal
- When you journal, you free space for your mind to actively wander.
- Spend a few minutes each day writing down at least one thing you’re grateful for.
- Actively think of the people and things that bring you the most joy. Give thanks in writing.
- Express Gratitude to Others
- Let the people in your life know how much you appreciate them.
- Spread joy, not rumors.
- Practice Mindfulness
- Pay attention to the current moment.
- Savor the good things around you.
- Give thanks when you can for all that you have been given
- Volunteer Your Time
- Helping others can be a powerful way to cultivate gratitude.
- Create direction, a dream.
- Inquire as to how you can make a difference in that dream.
- Create a growth-oriented perspective in helping others achieve their goals.
- Focus on the Simple Joys
- Appreciate the little things, like a warm cup of coffee or a sunny day.
- When you notice something beautiful that brings a sense of peace or warmth to the heart, give it thanks.
Conclusion
Happiness isn’t about having everything you want. Imagine having everything, but forgetting it is there, or even worse, that it is yours. Would the feeling stay with you? Remember, that happiness is about appreciating what is here in this moment. Happiness does not occur from a past or future perspective.
Counting your blessings is a simple yet powerful tool to express gratitude for what is. Simple exercises like saying Thank You, will have a significant impact on your emotional health and well-being. By consciously focusing on the positive aspects of your life, you can reduce stress. You can also improve your mood. Additionally, you can build resilience and strengthen your relationships. These changes are possible because of the deep spiritual connection that gratitude elicits at the psychological and relational levels. So, start today and see the difference gratitude can make in your life.
References:
Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377–389.
Seligman, M. E., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist, 60(5), 410–421.
Wood, A. M., Maltby, J., Gillett, R., Linley, P. A., & Joseph, S. (2010). The role of gratitude in the development of social support, stress, and depression: Two longitudinal studies. Journal of Research in Personality, 44(2), 235–241.
Kini, P., Wong, J., McInnis, S., Gabana, N., & Brown, J. W. (2016). The effects of gratitude expression on neural activity. NeuroImage, 128, 1–10.1
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