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POWER OF GRATITUDE
The important piece about gratitude is that when I give verbal or written gratitude to someone providing the other with specific information of what actions of theirs made a difference in our life, it becomes a feedback and may serve as a fuel for contributing to life moment by moment. This feedback gives us specifics for making life wonderful at all given times.
Mandakini Pokharna mandapokharna@hotmail.com
When my sister expresses gratitude by saying to me on eating the oatmeal for breakfast, "this is the world's best oatmeal." To me I feel pleased and satisfied that my efforts met her needs for taste and nourishment. So the next time I have a desire to contribute to her wellbeing I know I can make oatmeal for her breakfast with all the dry fruits and nuts in it.
When I express my joy for sitting in the park with warm sun shinning over us and the cool breeze and us sharing of our learning's from a reading. She gets feedback that her participation and the kind of activity that makes life wonderful for me.
I have had amazing connections and developed beautiful relationships just by sharing what I have enjoyed being with them, which has proved to be life giving and empowering for both of us.
Mandakini Pokharna, MD.
Practices internal medicine in Chicago.
Also trained at the center of Nonviolent
Communication, together with her sister Hema Pokharna they have created and taught
inspiring and lively workshops across the country
and around the world introducing the audience to the basic skills and concepts of
compassionate and fulfilled living. Their workshops use
a variety of practical and innovative techniques including lecture, discussion, role-playing, story telling and
puppet play designed
to stimulate thought, creativity and connection.
In conflict situations, when I am really mad at someone for saying or doing something that triggered sadness or frustration for me and if I can focus on gratitude for the relationship or just their presence in my life that very moment my whole energy and being gets transformed. And I feel joy and gratitude towards this person. Then I am able to release my anger and focus on the possibilities of what else this could mean or what's keeping this person from making life wonderful.
GRATITUDE AND ENDORPHINS Studies have demonstrated that when we are in the mode of gratitude there is release of endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are chemicals released by the brain cells which act as natural 'pain killers'. They enhance our sense of well being and boost our immune system. The focus on gratitude could also give you the 'high' in life, that people get by using any drugs and other substances.
Gratitude expressed from the heart and sincerity is yet to break a relationship, whether it is at work or home. Focus on gratitude helps to glue and cement the relationship leading to love and intimacy. In this day and age where violence is so prevalent, any act which stimulates love and compassion is worth over and above the violence exhibited.
Gratitude is not just etiquette but a natural way of celebrating life. When expressed in spontaneous ways, gratitude helps restore peace, awe, and a sense of well-being in your life.
Ja
Biennial AINA Convention 2007
For Private & Persd67se Only
PEACE THROUGH DIALOGU Grary.org
