GRATITUDE

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” - Epictetus

Happy Thanksgiving to American followers of this blog! 

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday, which I think should be more widespread around the world. We do not take enough time to sit down and think of all the things we have to be thankful for in our lives. No matter how poor one is, or how unhappy, or how alone, or how ill, there are always things to look for, no matter how small, and give thanks for…

Researchers have now confirmed that people who stop and say thanks, who feel grateful and who acknowledge the good things in their life have more energy, are more optimistic, have more social connections and feel happier than those who do not feel grateful or who do not give thanks. Added bonuses are that grateful people are less likely to be depressed, to be alcoholics, to be envious or greedy. Furthermore, the researchers indicate that grateful adults earn more money, sleep better, exercise more and have greater resistance to viral infections!

Children who are grateful and give thanks, tend to be less materialistic, get better marks in school, set higher goals for themselves, get fewer stomach aches and headaches, and feel more satisfied with their lives, families and friends. Several psychologists acknowledge the importance of gratitude for a balanced life and indicate that thankfulness builds stronger, happier relationships.

Living our life and only finding things to complain about, rather than things to be grateful for, invests our existence with negativity and multiplies our dissatisfaction. If we realise that there are countless benefits in our everyday life that we should be grateful for and that we should take time to be thankful for, the positivity increases and cancels out the negativity. The recognition of the good things in our life increases our desire to reciprocate, do good deeds, and have the need to make others to also feel thankfulness.

gratitude |ˈgratəˌt(y)oōd| noun
The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness: She expressed her gratitude to the committee for their support.
ORIGIN late Middle English: From Old French, or from medieval Latin gratitudo, from Latin gratus ‘pleasing, thankful.’