November is the month we all associate with being thankful, and focusing on gratitude has a lot more power than you realize.
The core concept of CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) is about recognizing: What you think about, you feel. In other words, the thoughts you have create the feelings you have.
Our thoughts are powerful.
When we focus on (think about) what we are grateful for, it changes the patterns in our brains, and allows us to more easily have positive thoughts.
And when we think more positive thoughts… we experience more positive feelings!
In every situation, there is a silver lining, we just have to find it.
For example, experiencing loss is a typical trigger for sadness. I recently lost my father, and when I begin to feel sad and go to the “What if“ thoughts, I catch myself and think, “At least I had forty plus years with him, there are some people don’t even know their
fathers.” Or I think, “I am grateful he wasn’t in a lot of pain,” and “I am grateful for being able to be in the same room as him, as many people during COVID couldn’t see
sick family members.”
You see, if you change the way you think, you change the way you feel. Empower yourself today to ask, “How can I see this situation that seems so negative, and find the positives?”
Or simply, “Where’s the silver lining here?”
Everything we experience can be viewed as life lessons to learn from. People teach us who we want to be like, or who we don’t want to be like. Either way, they taught you a lesson.
So this year, put some CBT on your Thanksgiving table. Ask everyone to find a negative thought or viewpoint, and change it to a positive one. Now, that will be the best dish of all!
Let’s be grateful! Let’s think positive thoughts!
Happy Thanksgiving to all,
Meghan
Meghan Lynch LPC
Licensed Therapist
