Count Your Blessings

July 26, 2023

Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

~ John Oatman

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

I am on a quest to spread happiness.

The CDC states that suicide has increased 36% between 2000 and 2021. 50-75% of people who commit suicide suffer from depressive episodes. I believe that happiness is a skill. I believe that there are techniques that you can use to retrain your brain to happy. One of those techniques we will call "Counting your Blessings".

"Counting your blessings" is a great way to retrain your brain to think positively, instead of negatively, and experience happiness everyday.

If you struggle with sadness, depression, anger, jealousy, low self-esteem, unhappiness, or feeling unsuccessful in life then read on to learn how you can retrain your brain to experience happiness everyday.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS.. WHAT IS THAT?

Counting your blessings is making a list of things that you are thankful for.

You can think of these things silently in your head.
You can write them down.
You can sing a song
You can write or recite a poem.
You can say your list out loud.
You can look in the mirror and say your list as affirmations.
You can make your list a prayer.

The list can be big things:

graduations
promotions
a vacation
a new car
family
children
friends
a loved one

The list can be small things :

waking up this morning
the ability to breathe
the ability to move your body
living pain free
the ability to read
the internet
having a job
having food

Anything that you can think of that you are happy to be able to do, or have done, or possess in your life can be recounted on your list.

WHY DOES IT WORK?

It works because of a phenomenon called neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to rewire itself. A neuron is the name for a specialized cell that exists and functions in the brain. Neural pathways are the connections between these cells that allow them to communicate with each other and different parts of the body. New neurons and neural pathways are always being made. The brain changes and adapts. This is how children are able to learn rapidly and how stroke victims are able to recover brain function.

As you remind yourself of things that have made you happy in the past, you are strengthening the neural connections of those memories, and the feelings associated with them.

Every time you remind yourself of happy memories, you are strengthening your habit of being happy, and weakening your habit of being sad.

Another reason it works is because you are training your brain to look at things from a different point of view. Instead of focusing on things you don't like about a situation focus on the things that you are grateful for in that same situation. A glass that is filled halfway can be complained about because it is half empty, or it can be appreciated because it is half full. The same situation, but you choose your perspective and your focus, and thereby how you feel about the situation. Train your brain to happy.

HOW DO I DO IT?

First thing in the morning: when you wake up think of things that you are grateful for. You can write a physical list. You can create a gratitude jar. You can play songs that remind you to be grateful or happy. You can recite affirmations in the mirror. You can focus on awards and certificates on the wall.

Personally, when my eyes first open, before my feet hit the floor, I talk to God and tell God all the things that I am grateful for. It has become a habit for me. I do it without much prompting and especially when I don't want to get up for work or school.

When a negative situation arises: instead of focusing on the negative about that particular situation, think of positive things instead. If a car accident happens, you can focus on the damage your car sustained or you could be grateful that you are still alive. Lost your job? At least you still have your health and the love of family. Lost money out of your pocket? Be grateful that it may bless someone in a time of need. Be grateful you have a roof over your head, clothes on your back, food in your belly, and the ability to make more money.

When you start to feel bad about yourself: when you start to feel like you are not enough; like you don't have enough or are not doing enough, think of all the things you have accomplished, instead. Think of all the things you are grateful for, about yourself. Interrupt your negative thoughts with positive thoughts. Think of your list.

Recounting the things that you are grateful for is a great way to retrain your brain to think positively so that you can experience happiness everyday.

Even when you cannot change your life, you can change your mind-- and experience happiness everyday. Everyday when you wake up think of three things that you are thankful for and begin to transform your life, today.

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