Being thankful and being grateful go hand in hand, though they are different in meaning. Being grateful is expressing gratitude while being thankful is feeling gratitude (being appreciative). However, with so many unfortunate events happening recently, it seems unlikely anyone would give thanks in a time like this. How can we even think about being grateful in this economy?
It is precisely under hardships when we have the most to gain by changing our perspective on life. In times of despair, being grateful can energize, strengthen and give us hope. Being grateful can help us cope with hard times.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not oblivious to the fact that people are in suffering. I am also not tone-deaf to recognize that being grateful in times of crisis is extremely difficult. No one was ecstatic about the aftermath of the hurricane or being without electricity for two months. To deny that life has plenty of setbacks and disappointments is unrealistic and untrue. However, being grateful is an action, not a feeling; therefore it is a choice. It’s not about faking it until you make it. It means that we chose to remain still despite our gains, losses, heartbreaks, and failures. This mentality takes time and practice, but it’s very worth it.
Doctor of Psychology and College professor Robert Emmons puts it this way: “When disaster strikes, gratitude provides a perspective from which we can view life in its entirety and not be overwhelmed by temporary circumstances.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German theologian who opposed Nazis and was killed by the very body he fought to overthrow, he once said this: “Gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy.” I believe he means that remembering the events that caused us pain, can help us reflect on how far we have come. Reminiscing about difficult times makes us appreciate how good we have it today. It also helps us to reevaluate our lives and to be grateful for the small stuff. Even the things we take for granted like traffic lights and sunny days. We take life for granted when it’s easy.
Another benefit from being grateful in times of despair is that we grow. Anyone who has grown mentally or spiritually knows that growth does not come from comfort. A growth mindset is necessary as we progress through life. It benefits us because it helps our self-insight, our emotional intelligence and it makes us more confident.
Through the year that made Gratefulness difficult, giving thanks seems like an act of bizarreness. 2017, has been a difficult year politically, economically, and socially but that doesn’t mean we don’t get to appreciate the tiny things that have gone right in the past three hundred and sixty-five days.
A way to start practicing being grateful is by verbalizing a list of what you are thankful for. You may even realize that there are more reasons to be grateful than you might have thought. I can definitely say that being grateful for what I do have has helped me recover from the emotional effects of Hurricane Maria.
So this Thanksgiving, I am being sincerely thankful for:
-
The people that have helped Puerto Rico get back on track after Hurricane María. Even the celebrities I had no idea were interested in our plight came to help our people. This means a lot.
-
All the friends and family members that have been caring and understanding over the course of the past weeks.
-
For all the random acts of kindness, I’ve seen the very people of Puerto Rico do.
-
To all of those people, who despite their pain, wake up every day to uplift this nation. You are inspiring and you truly make this country better.
Sources:
Emmons, Robert A. Gratitude Works!: a 21-Day Program for Creating Emotional Prosperity. Wiley, 2013