We need a
gratitude practice, not just a gratitude attitude. As Brene Brown, a renowned
social science researcher asserts:
“When it comes to gratitude, the word that jumped out at me throughout this research process is practice. I don’t necessarily think another researcher would have been so taken aback, but as someone who thought that knowledge was more important than practice, I found these words to be a call to action. In fact, it’s safe to say that reluctantly recognizing the importance of practice sparked the 2007 Breakdown Spiritual Awakening that changed my life.”
She continues,
“For years, I subscribed to the notion of an “attitude of gratitude.” I’ve
since learned that an attitude is an orientation or a way of thinking and that
“having an attitude” doesn’t always translate to a behavior. For example, it
would be reasonable to say that I have a yoga attitude. The ideals and beliefs
that guide my life are very in line with the ideas and beliefs that I associate
with yoga. I value mindfulness, breathing, and the body-mind-spirit connection.
I even have yoga outfits. But, let me assure you, my yoga attitude and outfits
don’t mean jack if you put me on a yoga mat and ask me to stand on my head or
strike a pose. Where it really matters—on the mat—my yoga attitude
doesn’t count for much.” From Brene
Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go
of Who You Think You Are Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are, 2010
Hazelden page 78-79
