When was the last time that you sat and listened, actually listened, to birds chirp? Yes, you here them all the time, but when was the last time you took the time to pause and listen. When was the last time you have taken time to experience hearing; rain and the rhythm it creates, a flower with its scent and delicate textures, a pattern in a piece of material, the rhythm of the tires on the highway. These are things that we ignore or at times get irritated toward. But, in choosing to view these as a gratitude instead of nuisance or ignored completely, you acknowledge the beauty of each, you open yourself up to living a more relaxed life instead of existing in the chaos of life.

In finding things that you are grateful for, you start realizing that certain things just become irrelevant in the bigger view or, at least, less important. As you continue to find new things you are grateful, you will find it easier to appreciate life in a better mood and growing new perspectives. Gratitude is a great weapon to combat stress, anxiety and depression. Learning to appreciate what you have and not worry about what you don’t have, you begin to accept life on its terms and adapt to change easier and faster. When something comes up after you have been using gratitude, it will be easier to adjust and deal with it. Your brain will go to a positive or less negative view of the situation than before when you would have reacted, instead of responding.