Day 59 (Fifty-nine) of 365 days
Gratitude is also called thankfulness, but it’s not the same thing as saying “thank you”. It is having a thankful disposition of mind and heart. If we have gratitude, it can transform our entire outlook on life. With gratitude, we acknowledge the goodness in our lives. In the process, we usually recognize that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside ourselves.
Gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps us feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve our health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. It also helps us connect to something larger than ourselves — whether to other people, nature, or a higher power.
Sometimes, feelings of gratitude happen spontaneously. But we also can create feelings of gratitude by deliberately counting our blessings. You can build a habit of counting blessings just by paying attention each day to things you’re glad to have in your life. Slow down, and notice what’s around you!
Noticing the things you’re grateful for is just the first step in building a gratitude habit, but you can try other things too, like taking the time to thank people or pausing to appreciate a star-filled sky.
Although, we are consistently urged by adversities that ‘You deserve it’, actually being around people who are always saying that they deserve more is quite wearing. Self-esteem and feeling good about yourself is one thing, but expressing gratitude for the good things that you have is a sign that you don’t expect the world to provide for you.
Someone grateful is the polar opposite of the person who feels that they are owed something by the world. They have the gift of enjoying and valuing what they have, which makes them rewarding friends and companions. So, take some mins of your time today to appreciate those who have given you something, whether that is out of the goodness of their hearts or in the line of duty. It’ll go a long way!
