One of the most amazing emotions we can experience as humans is gratitude. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I thought it would be fitting to reflect on the importance of expressing gratitude in our everyday lives.
Gratitude comes in all shapes and sizes. What you are grateful for could look a lot different from what the person next to you is grateful for. The beauty of gratitude is that there isn’t a single or correct way to practice it. It’s common for gratitude to be thought of as something that is expressed deeply. For example, one might reflect and say, “I am grateful for my life because of the experiences I’ve had, the people I’ve met, and the memories I’ve made.” However, it can be more simple like saying “I’m grateful for this piece of gum because it freshens my breath.” Although it may seem silly, acknowledging your gratitude for even the smallest things can shift your perspective of life.
There are many benefits of expressing gratitude. One of the major benefits is it increases your positivity. According to Psychology Today, “feeling grateful boosts happiness and fosters both physical and psychological health, even among those already struggling with mental health problems.” Being grateful creates a joy on the inside that, when it’s a continuous act, is showcased on the outside for others to see.
The Thanksgiving season is certainly a motivating factor for gratitude. However, I cannot emphasize enough that being grateful is much more than a month or something mentioned at the Thanksgiving dinner table. It’s a position of one’s heart. It’s a healthy perspective to have about our life and the people and things that are a part of it.
In closing, I will leave you with the top three things I am forever grateful for and hope that you will think about what your top three list may look like.
I am grateful for my:
- Faith – Without it, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
- Family – (Yes, my lifelong friends, you are considered family.) The biggest support system I’ve ever had.
- Health – Something I take for granted, but I am very blessed to have breath in my lungs and a beating heart.
Have a lovely Thanksgiving!
Source: Psychology Today