LET'S TALK about GRATITUDE Conversation Starters

Gratitude is not a trait we’re born with, but rather a mindset that can be consciously trained. Most people think of gratitude as the feeling that follows our positive experiences. In reality, it is a way of looking at life that creates happiness. This has major implications for how we live our lives. It means that joy isn’t dependent on external circumstances we can’t control. We can actively choose to be happy by practicing gratitude. It’s easy to fall into the negative habit of thinking we’re NOT ENOUGH. We’re not rich enough, smart enough, thin enough, good-looking enough, or successful enough. We even wonder if we are happy enough. 
 
JP Pawliw-Fry is the co-author of Performing Under Pressure, and the founder of IHHP, a global, research and learning company that specializes in helping organizations and leaders leverage the science of emotional intelligence. They did a multi-year study of over 12,000 people to find out what is it about the top 10 percent of individuals that helps them handle pressure effectively and be successful. JP Pawliw-Fry tells us that, “While working with these groups ... what is clear is that once they understand what the practice is and how it impacts their brain, it is one of the power tools that many find the most benefit from.” Gratitude tools are now used by the US Army, Navy, NASA, and NFL.
 
Every time you pay attention and focus on the things you appreciate your brain is creating new neural pathways that eventually become automatic. The longer you extend the thoughts and feelings of gratitude, the stronger the neural connections become. Writing down your GRATEFULS will help strengthen those neural connections, because it forces you to be very focused on the thoughts. All it takes is 8 weeks of practicing gratitude for people to start showing different brain patterns that result in enhanced empathy and happiness. Practicing gratitude is all about making an intentional shift from the negative to the positive that, over time, becomes a habit.