In this transformative episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles delves into the healing power of gratitude and how it can revolutionize how we approach life’s challenges. Drawing from neuroscience, evolutionary psychology, and personal experience, John reveals three practical strategies to cultivate gratitude.
Whether navigating adversity, seeking greater happiness, or strengthening your relationships, this episode offers actionable insights to help you harness gratitudeโs potential to build resilience, reframe your mindset, and unlock a life of meaning and purpose. Prepare to be inspired as John shares how gratitude can illuminate the path forward even in lifeโs darkest storms.
Want to learn the 12 philosophies that the most successful people use to create a limitless life? Order John R. Milesโs new book, Passion Struck: Twelve Powerful Principles to Unlock Your Purpose and Ignite Your Most Intentional Life.
And in case you didnโt already know it, John R. Miles (@John_R_Miles) takes your comments and questions for Momentum Friday right here every week! If you want him to answer your question, register your feedback, or tell your story on one of our upcoming weekly Momentum Friday episodes, drop us a line at [email protected]. Now, letโs dive in!
“Gratitude is not merely an emotion; it is a powerful tool that can shift our perspective, enhance our relationships, and foster resilience in the face of lifeโs challenges.”
John R. Miles
Unleashing Gratitude: Transform Your Mindset and Life
Gratitude isnโt just a fleeting emotionโitโs a powerful tool for personal transformation. In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles explores the science and spiritual depth behind gratitude, uncovering how this simple practice can unlock profound changes in our mental and emotional well-being.
From the long-term benefits of exercises like the โThree Good Thingsโ ritual to the centering practice of gratitude meditation, John offers a rich tapestry of insights designed to help you implement gratitude. Through personal stories, actionable advice, and psychological research, he shows how gratitude can turn lifeโs greatest challenges into opportunities for growth and resilience.
Key Takeaways from This Episode About The Healing Power of Gratitude
- The evolutionary origins of gratitude and why itโs hardwired into our human experience.
- How gratitude rewires your brain to improve focus, happiness, and emotional health.
- Actionable tips for sustainable gratitude practices, including journaling, reflection, and connecting with others.
- The role of gratitude in healing from adversity and finding strength during lifeโs toughest moments.
- The ripple effect of gratitude in improving relationships and fostering community.
- How to make gratitude a daily ritual to transform your mindset and build resilience.
Why This Episode About Gratitude Is a Must-Listen
This episode is a masterclass in using gratitude as a tool for personal growth and emotional healing. Johnโs unique combination of heartfelt storytelling, scientific evidence, and practical application makes it an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to live with greater intention and impact. Whether youโre facing a setback, looking to enhance your relationships, or seeking ways to improve your mental health, this episode will give you the insights and tools to thrive. Itโs a reminder that no matter how difficult life may seem, gratitude can illuminate the path forward and transform your life.
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR FEATURED RESOURCES
Sponsors
Babbel is the new way to learn a foreign language. The comprehensive learning system combines effective education methods with state-of-the-art technology! Right now, get SIXTY percent off your Babbel subscriptionโbut only for our listeners, at Babbel dot com slash PASSION.
Stop hair loss before itโs gone for good. Hims has everything you need to regrow hair. Start your free online visit today at โHims dot com slash PASSIONSTRUCK.โ
Quince brings luxury products like Mongolian Cashmere, Italian Leather, Turkish Cotton and Washable Silk to everyone at radically low prices.Go to โQuince dot com slash PASSIONโ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
STARTER PACKS
Are you new to the show? These Starter Packs are collections of our most popular episodes grouped by topic, and we now have them on Spotify.
You can also browse starter packs for existing listeners to find old favorites. Every week, John interviews everyday heroes from all walks of life. Learn how to subscribe to the show and never miss a new episode and topic.
Like this? Please subscribe and join me on my new YouTube platform for peak performance, life coaching, and personal mastery.
Shifting Perspectives: Embracing Both/And Thinking Through Grief
Grief is a deeply personal and transformative experience that can often feel overwhelming and isolating. In this weekโs Momentum Friday episode of the Passion Struck Podcast, we dove into a powerful approach to navigating grief: embracing both/and thinking. This mindset encourages us to hold two seemingly contradictory truths at onceโallowing us to honor the complexity of our emotions and find healing in the midst of loss. By embracing this framework, we can learn to move forward while still acknowledging the pain we carry.
What is “Both/And Thinking” in Grief?
Both/and thinking is the ability to hold space for multiple perspectives or emotions simultaneously. Itโs not about choosing between one side or the other, but instead accepting that life is filled with contradictions that can coexist. In the context of grief, this means acknowledging that you can feel both sorrow and joy, loss and gratitude, pain and love. Rather than trying to suppress one emotion to make space for another, both/and thinking empower you to embrace the full spectrum of your feelings.
This concept can be particularly healing for those grieving the loss of a loved one. Often, we feel pressured to “move on” or “find closure,” but that doesnโt mean we need to eliminate our grief or pretend it doesnโt exist. By embracing both/and thinking, we can continue to cherish the memory of our loved ones while also finding joy in the present moment. This mindset offers a powerful way to process grief without the expectation of erasing pain but rather integrating it into a life that still holds meaning and purpose.
Embracing the Complexity of Grief
Grief is rarely a straightforward, linear journey. The process can be jagged, unpredictable, and filled with moments of doubt. With both/and thinking, we create space for all the complexities of the grieving process, without forcing ourselves into rigid timelines or expectations. In this episode, we discussed how grief can involve sadness, feelings of deep love, appreciation for the time shared, and even moments of laughter. Both/and thinking allow us to sit with grief in a more expansive, flexible way, rather than feeling like we must fit into societal expectations of how long we should grieve or what emotions we should feel.
This shift in perspective is crucial in the healing journey. Instead of feeling guilty for experiencing moments of happiness amidst sorrow, or feeling like you must “move on” quickly, both/and thinking invite a more compassionate approach to grief. It empowers us to live with the tension of holding onto the love and memories of what weโve lost, while simultaneously moving forward with our lives and embracing the opportunities for growth and connection that lie ahead.
The Healing Power of Gratitude in Grief
A key part of this episode was also dedicated to the role gratitude plays in shifting our perspectives through grief. Grief often focuses our attention on what is no longer presentโon what weโve lost. But by practicing gratitude, we begin to reframe our experiences and acknowledge the good that still exists in our lives. Amid grief, there can still be moments of beauty, kindness, and connection. By intentionally focusing on these aspects, we can experience healing in unexpected ways.
Gratitude doesn’t mean bypassing or diminishing the pain of lossโitโs simply a way of expanding our perspective. Embracing both/and thinking with gratitude allows us to honor the pain of grief, while also finding moments of joy and appreciation in the present. It helps us see that grief and gratitude can coexist, leading to a richer, more nuanced understanding of our emotional lives.
Finding Balance: Grief, Growth, and Purpose
Ultimately, embracing both/and thinking through grief fosters a sense of balance. Itโs about recognizing that the experience of loss doesnโt erase the possibility of growth, healing, and transformation. By acknowledging the full range of our emotionsโboth the sadness and the joyโwe unlock the opportunity to grow stronger in our resilience and wisdom. Through this, we not only heal from our grief, but we also begin to live more intentionally, with a deeper understanding of what truly matters in our lives.
In the Momentum Friday episode of Passion Struck Podcast, we explored the power of shifting our perspectives and how the practice of both/and thinking can lead to profound emotional healing. Itโs a reminder that grief is not something to “get over,” but an experience that can be integrated into a fuller, more meaningful life. By embracing both/and thinking, we allow ourselves to honor the pain of loss while still moving forward with gratitude, growth, and purpose.
Key Principles Deeply Related to Passion Struck
In this Momentum Friday episode of the Passion Struck Podcast, we explored the powerful idea of embracing both/and thinking to navigate the complex and transformative experience of grief. This concept directly aligns with the principles discussed in my book, Passion Struck: Twelve Powerful Principles to Unlock Your Purpose and Ignite Your Most Intentional Life.
Intentional Living: Grief challenges us to live more intentionally, honoring both our pain and our growth. By practicing both/and thinking, we can move forward with purpose and clarity.
Resilience: Grief tests our resilience, but embracing the full spectrum of our emotions empowers us to come back stronger, more compassionate, and wiser.
Gratitude: In both the podcast and the book, gratitude is a transformative tool for healing. It encourages us to shift our focus from what weโve lost to what we still have and can still achieve.
Personal Growth: Grief is an opportunity for personal growth. By embracing duality, we allow ourselves to heal while continuing to pursue our purpose, living passionately despite lifeโs challenges.
If you havenโt already, I encourage you to dive deeper into these concepts by reading Passion Struck, where youโll find additional strategies and principles for navigating lifeโs challenges with intention and resilience. Through both the podcast and the book, we can all learn how to live a life full of passion, purpose, and healing, no matter the obstacles we face.
RESOURCES FROM THE SHOW “3 Ways to Unlock the Healing Power of Gratitude”
Please note that some of the links on this page (books, movies, music, etc.) lead to affiliate programs for which The Passion Struck podcast receives compensation. Itโs just one of the ways we keep the lights on around here. Thank you so much for being so supportive!
- Radio St. Pete: https://radiostpete.com/
- American Psychological Association (APA) โ Resources on resilience and coping: apa.org
- Psychology Today โ Articles on mental health, resilience, and personal growth: psychologytoday.com
- Sign up for our newsletter to receive regular updates on new episodes, guest interviews, and exclusive content designed to help you become the best version of yourself.
- Follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) to join our passionate community and stay connected with like-minded individuals seeking personal growth and inspiration.
- Share this episode with your friends, family, and colleagues who could benefit from learning how to break free from the savior complex. Spread the power of personal growth and helping others by first potentializing from within.
- Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform, such as Apple Podcasts or Spotify, to let us know how this episode resonated with you and to help others
Donโt wait for the perfect moment or the perfect support system to act. Like Julia Butterfly Hill, you have the power to make a differenceโno matter how small you think your actions might be. Whatโs one thing you can do today to create positive change? Let us know in the comments and start your journey toward impact.
Check My solo episode on 5 Proven Ways to Overcome Emotional Fatigue
Catch My Episode with Naseem Rochetteโs Brave Journey of Paying It Forward
Watch my interview with Jason Silver on How to Use What You Have to Get What You Desire
Can’t miss my episode with Susan Grau on How Our Life Experiences Shape Our Souls
My solo episode on Rebuilding After a Hurricane: My Story of Loss and Recovery
UNLOCK YOUR BEST YEAR YET: JOIN THE PASSION-STRUCK 50-WEEK CHALLENGE!
Start Your Transformative Journey
Signing up is the first step toward a year of growth and self-discovery. Overcome each challenge and become an inspiration to others. Become Passion Struck!
How to Begin
- Subscribe to Our Newsletter: Fill in your details to join the challenge and receive your weekly guide.
- Initiate with Your First Challenge: Start your adventure with an engaging task delivered to your inbox.
- Engage with Our Online Community: Exchange experiences and find support in our exclusive group.
- Embrace a Year of Evolution: Prepare for a year where each week brings you closer to your best self.
Your Moment is Now!
Donโt miss this opportunity to make this year your most extraordinary one yet. Sign up for the 50-Week Challenge and answer the call to transformation.
About John R. Miles
John R. Miles is a transformative leader, blending military precision with entrepreneurial flair to ignite purpose and intentional living in millions. A former U.S. Navy officer and Fortune 50 executive, John transitioned from the C-suite to become an international bestselling author and host of the globally acclaimed Passion Struckยฎ podcast, which has ranked as the #1 alternative health podcast in over 25 countries.
John writes about the science of behavior change, personal mastery, and purpose-driven leadership, drawing from his extensive research in neuroscience, and psychology, plus over 700 interviews with trailblazing experts. His book, Passion Struck: Twelve Powerful Principles to Unlock Your Purpose and Ignite Your Most Intentional Life, has earned accolades including Best Business Book at the 2024 International Business Awards.
With a mission to inspire others to live with passion and intention, Johnโs quirky blend of deep insight and approachable wisdom makes him a sought-after voice in leadership and personal development.
Follow John R. Miles On The Socials
* Twitter: https://twitter.com/Milesjohnr
* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnrmiles.c0m
* Medium: https://medium.com/@JohnRMilesโ
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_r_miles
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milesjohn/
* Blog: https://johnrmiles.com/blog/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passion_struck_podcast/
* Gear: https://www.zazzle.com/store/passion_struck/
Learn more about me: https://johnrmiles.com.
Passion Struck aspires to speak to the humanity of people in a way that makes them want to better, live better, and impact the world.
Passion Struckโs mission is to unlock the power of intentionality for the benefit of us all. To create a world where we live better, be better, and impact the world through our unique and powerful content.