Count Your Blessings
People often say, “Be grateful, be thankful, and practice gratitude.” But do we really know what it means?
Studies on gratitude show that regularly appreciating what we have can improve happiness and well-being. Learn more about gratitude research here: Greater Good Science Center.
What Is Gratitude?
Gratitude means thankfulness, a feeling of appreciation, and acknowledging the blessings that are showered upon us. Gratitude is one of the most important values we should all have.
Do you know that science has shown that gratitude can contribute to happiness and better health, reduce stress, and encourage more positive thoughts?
Why Do We Stop Appreciating What We Have?
We can easily get used to things. For instance, you may wish to have a brand-new car. For the first two months, you may feel very grateful and excited about it. However, after two years, you may find that you have become used to it.
Why?
It is called hedonic adaptation. Our brains are designed this way, and it is our job to rewire our thinking so that we don’t take things for granted.
Be Grateful for the Simple Things
Being grateful can be as simple as thinking about how lucky you are to have eyes to see this beautiful world.
There are people who are blind and wish they could see the world.
For example, you may have just slept in a comfortable bed. Be grateful for that. There are people in this world who are sleeping in the subway or on the streets.
Be grateful that you have clean, running water. There are people who struggle every day just to get a bucket of clean water.
Be grateful that you have a healthy body. There are people in hospitals hoping to get well and go home.
Most importantly, be grateful that you are alive. There are people on their deathbeds hoping to live another day.
A Simple Reminder to Practice Gratitude
Sometimes, we don’t realize how many things we already have until we stop and appreciate them.
Therefore, take a moment to look around you and recognize the simple blessings in your life. You may already have many of the things you once wished for.
If you enjoy reflections like this, explore more articles on my personal growth blog:
https://lashinianpalagan.com/blog