The Power of Gratitude: A Beginner’s Guide to Transforming Your Mindset

Discover how practicing gratitude can revolutionize your perspective and lead to a more fulfilling life.

A Communicator’s Journey to Gratitude

I almost can’t believe I’m writing this on my website. A decade ago, back in 2013 and before, I didn’t even know what gratitude was. I was completely ungrateful, with no one around to guide me or explain its importance. I won’t try to justify my past self – that’s just how it was. But knowledge finds us when we’re ready, and my time came eventually.

As someone trained to be a communicator, specifically for television, I’ve witnessed how the TV industry is transforming. While traditional television might be evolving, the essence of communication never dies. That’s why I’m here, still working as a communicator, sharing the knowledge I wish I had in my early days. I don’t want others to miss out on what took me years to discover.

The Transformation: From Liability to Asset

I used to see gratitude as a burden – a liability. Can you imagine? Being grateful to God, people, things, and situations felt like an obligation rather than a gift. But life has a way of teaching us its most valuable lessons, and my perspective underwent a complete transformation.

The Steve Harvey Moment

My breakthrough came through an unexpected source – Steve Harvey, the famous comedian and TV host. I’ve been following his content for over 6-7 years, but one particular video changed everything. In just a couple of minutes, he explained something profound about gratitude that hit home: “The Primary element to be in a positive mood, is always start with gratitude for who you are right now.”

This simple yet powerful message made me realize that being alive is the first thing to be grateful for. After all, we can only deal with life’s ups and downs if we’re here to experience them. When we’re grateful for our current situation and acknowledge how far we’ve come, our minds become calmer, more joyful, and filled with happiness.

A Cultural Revelation

This realization led to another interesting discovery. I recalled how our Catholic priests in Sri Lanka had been sharing similar messages during mass for years. However, influenced by local cultural vibes, these messages often came wrapped in tones of sorrow and sadness. Christianity itself isn’t about sorrow, but cultural influences had shaped how the message was delivered. It took Steve Harvey’s energetic perspective to help me see gratitude in a new light.

The Three Dimensions of Gratitude

1. A Feeling of Joy and Happiness

Gratitude isn’t just an action or procedure – it’s a feeling that radiates joy and happiness. When you’re truly grateful, you create a positive vibe within and around you, naturally drawing your thoughts toward optimistic views of the present and future.

2. Authentic Thankfulness

There’s a profound difference between routine thanks and genuine gratitude. Think about thanking someone for a cup of tea at a restaurant versus thanking someone who saved you from drowning. The first is a custom; the second comes from a place of true gratitude. That’s the feeling we’re after.

3. Acknowledgment of Fulfillment

When you express gratitude, you unconsciously acknowledge and confirm your blessings. For instance, when you’re grateful for having a great day in the morning, you’ve already set the intention and confirmation for that greatness to manifest.

Looking Forward

This is just the beginning of our gratitude journey. As the first in a series of ten articles, we’ll explore deeper aspects of gratitude and its power to transform lives. Follow our #Gratitude tag to catch every installment of this series.