GRATEFUL ~ choosing happiness in the face of challenge
Day 20 of 30 Days of Adventure
Today, let's reinforce our brain's magnificent ability to build resilience amidst challenges and difficulties.
Adventuring onward, we will continue to be served with unpredictable challenges and obstacles.
By choosing to activate the neural pathways of gratitude in the face of unexpected challenges, we are literally rewiring our brains to build resilience, fortitude, and happiness. As the saying goes, “neurons that fire together wire together!” One grateful moment at a time, it becomes more and more natural to face challenges with a smile on our faces.
Gratitude manages difficulties in a plethora of ways!
There are several positive psychological and social outcomes of gratitude, like increases in happiness, decreases in depression, having stronger relationships, and experiencing positive emotion.
fMRI studies show us that several parts of our brain and pathways are activated when we experience and express gratitude. One of these parts is the medial prefrontal cortex, an area associated with the management of negative emotions.
Together, these changes in neurotransmitters and hormones combined with activated neural pathways, help us cognitively restructure potentially harmful thoughts to better manage our circumstances.
Reflecting on this moment, take a moment to cultivate the feeling of gratitude for something in your inner or outer environment.
The more we do something, the easier it becomes, and our brains work the same way. The more we activate the circuits of gratitude, the less effort it takes to stimulate those pathways the next time, and the stronger those pathways become.
Reflecting on the challenges of your adventure …
📓✍🏼
How have you recently grown from a challenging situation?
What is one thing you are grateful for amidst the difficulty?
How can you show up with more appreciation today?
Over to you!
How are you inspired to use gratitude as a tool for your adventurous journey?
We'd be grateful to hear from you in the community comments!
