Why is a happy brain 30% more effective? How to accept mistakes and turn them into experience? Practical exercises and affirmations from Dmytro Telushko's journal.
Author: Dmytro Telushko
From the book: "Steps of Gratitude" Diary (Part 1: Gratitude)
Gratitude is much more than just saying "thank you." It is the ability to notice and appreciate what we have, the people around us, and the opportunities that appear on our path. It helps shift our focus from a sense of lack to an awareness of abundance.
In this excerpt from the first section of the workbook, we explore how gratitude changes our brain and why it is crucial to thank yourself even for mistakes.
1. The Science of Happiness
Gratitude is a powerful tool for efficiency. Research shows that a happy person lives with a brain that works 30% more effectively and creatively than when in a state of indifference.
Every second, our brain processes over 400 million bits of information, but only 2000 of them reach our consciousness. Gratitude practice acts as a filter: it helps choose those 2000 bits that move us forward rather than dragging us into negativity.
2. Accepting Achievements and Mistakes
We often chase perfection, but our imperfections are signs of uniqueness. Remember the Leaning Tower of Pisa: it was an architectural error that made it world-famous.
The same applies to our mistakes. When approached with gratitude, they stop being failures and become lessons. It is important to act on Theodore Roosevelt's principle: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are”.
3. Self-Support and Affirmations
The words we speak to ourselves shape our reality. Affirmations work like "magic charms," tuning our consciousness to a frequency of faith.
The Jim Carrey Example:
The actor wrote himself a check for $10 million long before his success. It was a manifesto of intent. When we combine visualization with gratitude, we become the architects of our future.
4. Practical Exercise: Creating Personal Affirmations
Try this simple technique from our diary to reduce internal criticism:
Write down a negative thought that occurs frequently.
Create a counter-affirmation. It should be based on acceptance. For example: “I accept myself even when I make mistakes” or “I love myself as I am today”.
Integrate it physically. Place your hand on your heart, take a deep breath, and speak the words slowly, feeling the warmth.
