Broaden And Build

Why Gratitude Makes You Stronger Than Ever!

💪 Resilience isn’t a personality flex—it’s a trainable skill. The APA defines it as adapting well to adversity, and research backs that it can be built, not gifted. Barbara Fredrickson’s 2004 work shows positive emotions broaden your mindset and build resources so you rebound from stress faster. Translation: in moments like the Charlie Kirk tragedy, practicing gratitude amid grief helps your brain move from shock → meaning → growth. Not easy. Totally doable. As a psychologist-in-training (and sober human), here’s the 60-second drill I use: 1. Pause & Name the feeling (not “fine”—pick the real one). 2. 3 Gratitudes—write them down. Then take 30 seconds to actually think about why each matters. 3. One Micro-Action—text a friend, pray, step outside, journal one line. Hope is active, not passive. This isn’t Hallmark-card positivity. It’s emotional regulation + neuroplasticity in plain English: small reps, repeated often, change your brain. Everything will be okay—not because magic—but because God is sovereign, your brain is tough, and history shows we rise. 👇 Homework: Drop 3 things you’re grateful for in the comments. Do the reps. Build the muscle.