Cultivating Gratitude: A Path to Resilience with Kirsten Ebey
Gratitude, as simple a concept as it might seem, holds immense power in shaping our mindset and approach toward life. Kirsten Ebey wonderfully stated, “Having gratitude minimizes the heart-breaking, gut-wrenching blow that comes with human experiences.” Life can indeed be a tumultuous journey, filled with highs and lows. By acknowledging and appreciating the positives, we can navigate through the storm and come out on the other side with tools and practices to keep our minds feeling uplifted.
In this episode of the Growth Journal Podcast, Kirsten and Lynz got very candid about the difficult times they have been through and how journaling gratitude helped them find light even in the darkest corners. Kirsten shared how she and her husband both have parents who are terminally ill and how difficult knowing that you will be losing a loved one can be. However, Kirsten tries to remain grateful and practice recognizing the little moments of joy. She shares that it gives her time to prepare for loss as much as you can and that it allows her and her family to be present and enjoy moments with their loved ones while they still can.
Lynz remembered a time in college when he was heavily focused on the negative around him, complaining often about the woes of life and how things were not going his way. While it may have been an authentic experience, he had a moment of self-realization when a friend compared him to Eeyore—always negative and bringing down the mood. He remembered this as a turning point that reminded him that practicing gratitude often can keep us from spiraling into our own darkness.
The practice of gratitude, however, doesn’t always have to be centered around monumental experiences. Sometimes, it’s about appreciating the simplest things in life. Kirsten recalls a helpful tip from her therapy sessions:
“When you are having days of gloom…you can open your eyes and look at the ceiling and think, ‘I am grateful for this ceiling because I have a roof over my head’.”
It’s in these small moments of gratitude that we find a sense of contentment and positivity.
Journaling can be a powerful tool in this journey of cultivating gratitude. Each day, Kirsten pens down her list of things she is grateful for, followed by her affirmations. She emphasizes:
“It fuels the affirmations and reinforces everything you do have so that you are coming at your manifestations and affirmations from a place of already having, not a place of lacking.”
Writing down our feelings of gratitude helps make them tangible, reinforcing our commitment to a positive mindset.
In conclusion, cultivating gratitude is not just about acknowledging our blessings but also about fostering resilience in the face of adversity. It’s a journey of personal growth that can be beautifully documented through the practice of journaling. So, grab your Growth Journal Book today and embark on this transformative journey of gratitude!