8 Reasons to Be Grateful
- Life. You woke up this morning, breathing and with a heartbeat. You get to enjoy today and hopefully wake up again...
- Health. Heard that before? According to Valerie Reiss, holistic living editor for Beliefnet, you should be grateful...
- Employment. People often complain about their job, calling it the daily grind or worse. But having a...
Why is it so important to be grateful?
How Gratitude Can Change Your Life
- Gratitude shifts your focus. One of the reasons why gratitude can change your life is because it shifts your focus. ...
- It improves the quality of your life. From your mental health and wellness, to your emotional fortitude, spiritual aptitude, and your physical strength can all be derived from ...
- Being grateful makes you feel happier. ...
Why being grateful is good for the soul?
Why Being Grateful is Good for You Expressing thankfulness and gratitude has tremendous benefits on mental, emotional, and even physical health. The expression of appreciation increases dopamine and serotonin in the brain, those neurotransmitters that provide good feelings that can help you deflect negativity.
Why being grateful can make you happy?
The point I want to make here is this:
- Happiness can’t be controlled 100%.
- Showing gratitude for something can be done whenever we want it (nothing will stop us).
- Showing gratitude is scientifically (and anecdotally!) proven to correlate with happiness.
What are the health benefits of being grateful?
The Benefits of Gratitude
- Increased happiness. Gratitude helps people feel happier and experience positive emotions. ...
- Reduced depression. Verbally expressing or silently reflecting on gratitude decreases depression. ...
- Strength when facing adversity. Gratitude is good for your emotional health. ...
- Improved physical health. ...
- Community building. ...
What should I be grateful for?
Things To Be Thankful For In LifeYour family.Close friends.Good health.Your home.Your job.Healthy food.Your education.Your pets.More items...•
Why is being grateful important essay?
First of all, it strengthens our relationship with others. When you have a thankful feeling, it will strengthen the bond with the other party and enhance the trust factor and feeling of respect and love. Moreover, it also makes us happy. When we express gratitude or receive it, we feel happy either way.
Why should we be grateful for ourselves?
Self-gratitude can build confidence and help you face any challenge when no else will. After all, no one knows you better than yourself, nor benefits as much as you do from being reminded of your own strengths and abilities. It helps motivate you to keep going in your business and take on the next challenge.
What does very grateful mean?
adjective. warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankful: I am grateful to you for your help. expressing or actuated by gratitude: a grateful letter.
How do I learn to be grateful?
10 Ways to Become More GratefulKeep a Gratitude Journal. ... Remember the Bad. ... Ask Yourself Three Questions. ... Learn Prayers of Gratitude. ... Come to Your Senses. ... Use Visual Reminders. ... Make a Vow to Practice Gratitude. ... Watch your Language.More items...•
What should I be thankful for and why?
List of Things to Be Grateful ForGood Health. Good health doesn't necessarily mean the absence of any ailment. ... Money in the Bank. If you have something in your bank account, you are richer than many others burdened with debt and cash crisis. ... Good Friends. ... Freedom of Religion. ... Your Parents. ... Weekends. ... Having a Partner. ... Pets.More items...•
Why is it important to appreciate the little things in life?
Appreciating the little things in life means that you focus your attention on what nurtures and sustains you in life. On everything that brings you even the smallest amount of pleasure. It also means practicing gratitude by noticing these everyday things that you take for granted so easily.
How can I be grateful when life is hard?
Here are seven tangible, concrete ways to find the good, even in the worst times:Stop worrying about what you lack, and start being happy for what you have. ... Start small. ... Do one productive thing today that you enjoy. ... Try a gratitude meditation. ... Don't expect perfection. ... Forgive. ... Help someone else.
What is gratitude paragraph?
Gratitude is one of many positive emotions. It's about focusing on what's good in our lives and being thankful for the things we have. Gratitude is pausing to notice and appreciate the things that we often take for granted, like having a place to live, food, clean water, friends, family, even computer access.
How do you show your gratitude to God for the gifts of love life and family?
Seriously though, prayer is the simplest and surest way to convey appreciation to God. Sincere simple prayer, given from the heart and expressing your thanks for the wonderful life you've been given, will touch God deeply. There are no hard and fast rules about praying. Come to God just as you are.
What is the life of gratitude?
Gratitude means thankfulness, counting your blessings, noticing simple pleasures, and acknowledging everything that you receive. It means learning to live your life as if everything were a miracle, and being aware on a continuous basis of how much you've been given.
What do you understand by gratefulness express your views in writing about it?
Gratitude strengthens your relationship with others. Being thankful is a wonderful feeling and an experience that strengthens the bonds between both the parties. It improves the trust factor and the feeling of being respected and acknowledged. The quality of gratitude also makes you feel happy.
Why is gratitude magnified?
Gratitude is magnified if the conferred benefit is unexpected, or if the benefactor is of a higher social status than the debtor. If a benefit comes to be expected, both it and the benefactor tend to be taken for granted by the beneficiary—a common feature or tired relationships.
Why is ingratitude hurtful?
In contrast, ingratitude is hurtful because it ignores the efforts and sacrifices of the benefactor, thereby affronting him and, by extension, life itself. In Shakespeare’s King Lear, Lear says:
What is the basic Christian attitude?
Martin Luther himself spoke of gratitude as ‘the basic Christian attitude’. More than a mere feeling, Christian gratitude is a virtue, or disposition of the soul, that shapes our thoughts, feelings, and actions, and that is developed, refined, and exercised through a remembered relationship with God and His Creation.
Why is gratitude important to Cicero?
Studies have linked gratitude with increased satisfaction, motivation, and energy; better sleep and health; and reduced stress and sadness. Grateful people are much more engaged with their environment, leading to greater personal growth and self-acceptance, and stronger feelings of purpose, meaning, and specialness.
How sharper than a serpent's tooth is?
To have a thankless child! Hume maintains that ‘of all the crimes that human creatures are capable of committing, the most horrid and unnatural is ingratitude , especially when it is committed against parents…’. For Kant, ingratitude is, quite simply, ‘the essence of vileness’.
What does it mean to say "thank you" to a parrot?
Thus, children who are taught to parrot ‘thank you’ mean it even less than their parents do. Indeed, many adults express gratitude, or a semblance of gratitude, simply because doing so is useful or the ‘done thing’. Gratitude is good manners, and good manners aim at aping profundity when profundity is lacking.
Why is it important to be grateful for future benefits?
We can be grateful for likely future benefits as well as past and present benefits. Gratitude for future benefits promotes optimism, and optimism faith. Both Western and Eastern religious traditions emphasize gratitude.
How does the outdoors help you?
According to Reiss, the natural outdoors helps you feel connected to every aspect of this earth — the ground, the sky and everything and every creature in between. 7. Free time. You may feel like you never have enough, but you should be grateful for what free time you do have. Free time lets you be you.
Why do people use pacemakers?
For some, they help them do their jobs every day. Some people use them solely as a form of entertainment. For some, they provide a beat to keep you motivated during your run or gym workout. Feel even more gratefulness for the modern techno-gadgets that keep people alive, like pacemakers.
What is the most basic thing you can forget?
You woke up this morning, breathing and with a heartbeat. You get to enjoy today and hopefully wake up again tomorrow. You get to see your family and friends, and enjoy food and life’s luxuries. It can sometimes be easy to forget to be grateful for the most basic thing: life itself . 2.
Why is it important to have a job?
But having a job is something for which you can really be grateful. A job probably gets you out of the house every day and adds variety into your daily life so that you are not just sitting at home on the couch. Even more, a job helps you pay your bills and means you’re not standing in the unemployment line or wondering how you're going to eat each week.
Can you pick your family?
You can’t pick your family, but you can pick your friends. If you’ve chosen good ones, remember to be grateful for them and express your love and appreciation. According to Reiss, friends are the families we make. Friends help you remember who you really are and who you can become.
Annual Review
When I started out in my career, like many, I was a ‘raw’, hard working, and driven individual. I was of the opinion that the mantra of “working hard” and letting the rest fall into place was sufficient.
A Life of Its Own
So, back to the story, it was the shell-shocked look on their faces that gave it away. I knew I had just performed an act that is extremely rare. That was my first lesson on Brand Differentiation. Remember that:
Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving?
Gratitude, according to R.C. Soloman in the foreword to the book, The Psychology of Gratitude, “is one of the most neglected emotions and one of the most underestimated of virtues.” Originally celebrated as a day to give thanks for the harvest of the previous year, it has become a holiday for gathering together and expressing gratitude for our blessings. For me, Thanksgiving is a reminder to appreciate all the good in my life, which includes my beloved family, friends, and colleagues; as well as my lifestyle and good health. I love this holiday because it focuses on all things positive, free of materialistic motivations such as mindless gift-giving.
Why is Thanksgiving my favorite holiday?
Those closest to me know that Thanksgiving is my favorite national holiday—possibly because it is secular, and a holiday that reflects a sense of interconnectedness among people and cultures. These days, I think we need this day more than ever.
What does Thanksgiving remind you of?
Thanksgiving is a holiday that reminds me that there’s more to be thankful for than sad about. My beloved father taught me the power of positive thinking —specifically, looking at the glass as half-full rather than half-empty.
Is it good to write a letter of gratitude?
Regardless of how you feel psychologically, you might want to consider writing a letter of gratitude to someone who you are grateful for. Studies have shown that the mere act of thanking someone can be good for your health. For example, a study done in The Journal of Happiness ( 2012) found that those who wrote letters of gratitude over a three-week period were happier, had greater life satisfaction, and had less incidence of depressive symptoms.
Is it better to give thanks for all that is good?
Given everything that’s happening in the world, and the instability and fear that many of us feel, there is no better time than now to stop and give thanks for all that is good. We need to continually remind ourselves of the importance of incorporating gratitude into our stream of consciousness, and remember that even if it seems as if we’ve hit rock bottom, there is always hope that we will come out on the other side.
How to practice gratitude?
A gratitude journal is one of the most useful techniques for practicing gratitude. Spending a few minutes in the morning or evening reflecting upon the things you are grateful will bring a lot of benefits to your well-being. According to Robert Emmons’ research, regularly taking reflections on moments you are grateful for can improve life satisfaction and your psychological health.
What is gratitude in writing?
Gratitude is not only about being thankful for things in your life, but it’s also about expressing gratitude to other people. As I’ve mentioned earlier in the article, a study shows that writing gratitude letters helps mentally healthy people and depressed people as well.
How does gratitude change your life?
How Gratitude Changes Your Life. It is easy to focus on the negatives in life. All humans have stress and hardship we must endure; this is unavoidable. Even though we have to face challenging elements, it is essential to be grateful for all the wonderful things we have or the people we meet.
Why is gratitude important?
So, gratitude helps you notice positive moments in your life, boosting your optimism and positivity.
How does gratitude affect the brain?
Expressing gratitude to people or things has lasting effects on the brain. It means that practicing gratitude may help train the brain to be more sensitive to being grateful, improving our mental health over time. Living a life of gratitude provides you the feeling of greater happiness and joy. You feel more at peace, lighter, ...
How does gratitude unshackle people?
Gratitude unshackles people from negative emotions by shifting our attention away from negative emotions and focusing on positive ones.
Why should we express gratitude for the food we eat?
Taking many things for granted, sometimes we forget that many people suffer from hunger on the Earth, while many of us can choose what to eat for breakfast, lunch or supper. That’s why you should express your gratitude for the food you are going to eat.
How does gratitude affect relationships?
Gratitude blesses your relationship with OTHERS. Psychologists say that gratitude generates pro-social behavior. In other words, just pausing to be grateful every day makes you easier to be around. It makes you kinder, gentler and more understanding. Therefore, it affects every relationship you have.
Why is it important to be grateful in the Bible?
The Bible tells us to be grateful because being ungrateful robs you of joy, hope and power. It keeps you focused on what you don’t have, instead of enjoying what you do have. Ingratitude keeps you dissatisfied and grabbing for more. It produces negative, hopeless feelings. I know about this first-hand.
Why is gratitude important in the Bible?
The Bible commands gratitude in all circumstances—the good, the bad and the ugly (1 Thess. 5:17)—because it’s good for your soul. And while gratitude produces joy, it also prevents negative emotions. Psychologists tell us we can’t host conflicting emotions at the same time.
What would be the cake if happiness was a chocolate cake?
Think of it this way: if happiness were a chocolate cake, gratitude would be the chocolate (and perhaps the sugar). Cicero put it a bit more eloquently than me. He wrote, “Gratitude is the parent of all other virtues.”. So if you want to be happy, then you must first choose to be grateful.
How to be grateful for the new day?
Each new day provides multiple opportunities to be grateful. Choose gratitude. Grow in it. Live grateful—you’ll be happy you did.
How much data can the brain hold?
Although it’s imperfect, it is remarkable. For instance, your brain can hold 5 times as much data as Encyclopedia Britannica. Your nerves fire at 170 m.p.h. all day long. And even though your immune system is assaulted by millions of germs daily, it defeats over 99.5% of them.
Is gratitude good for you?
Gratitude is good for your body. A number of studies show that grateful people have better immune function, gastro function, heart health and sleep. In a nutshell, gratitude is good medicine. But being grateful is also good for your soul. Here’s why: gratitude is the essential ingredient of happiness. Think of it this way: if happiness were ...
What does it mean to be thankful?
Appreciation requires not taking everything for granted — it’s about discovering the value in what you already have. Gratitude connects you to something greater than yourself — it’s experiencing life as a surprise gift. There’s always something new to discover and be thankful for.
How to improve your mental health after Thanksgiving?
Once Thanksgiving Day is over, don’t let your sense of gratitude fade. Train your brain to remember the positive. A gratitude habit will improve your mental and physical health.
How does being thankful help you?
Being thankful develops a positive mindset, especially when we practice it every day. We grow in the direction of what we regularly focus on — daily gratitude improves your well-being dramatically.
How to be more positive?
Focusing on the positive will feel more natural day after day — your list will grow longer and longer before you even notice it. Practicing gratitude will help you develop a more positive outlook. Reflect on how you are improving your ability to deal with your challenges.
How to create positive memories?
A gratitude journal is a simple and effective way to create positive memories — put the energy in capturing every good experience, no matter how small. Happiness is a byproduct of all your victories — small wins help create momentum.
What is gratitude in the world?
Gratitude involves a complex interplay between the giver and receiver - appreciation will help you see more opportunities.
How to discover appreciation?
There are three sources to discover appreciation: Gratitude is the quality of being thankful — we are ready to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Avoid approaching daily gratitude with a transactional mentality; it can backfire. Focus on building the habit.
What is the most important choice in your day?
The ability to change your whole life with one good decision. 100. The option to be grateful no matter where you are or what you’re experiencing. Gratitude is the most important choice in your day—and you can find things to be grateful for everywhere if you look hard enough.
How did Daniel Dowling help others?
Daniel Dowling used anxiety and depression as tools to unlock his potential. Now he helps others to find their purpose through journaling and intentional living. Read more of Daniel's work at dowlingwriter.com.
What is your hard working heart?
Your hard-working heart. 3. The food that fuels your experience. 4. The ever-present opportunity to make better decisions than your last. 5. Your brain and memory that allow you to learn from mistakes. 6. The freedom to make unlimited mistakes on your road to self-improvement.
Is depression common?
Depression is common, and it happens to many of us at some point. But the longer I chose to wallow in it, the more impossible happiness seemed. After my third year of depression I seriously considered whether life was even worth living.
How to be grateful for someone who took time out of their life?
Be it your family, friends, professors, or bosses, be grateful for those individuals who took time out of their lives to help you. To make you feel more competent and give you the cheat sheet of life that they never had. Be grateful for their guidance.
What are some things that we should be grateful for?
Here is a list of little and big things we all should be grateful for, for gratitude itself is a virtue. 1. Your Life. No matter how you think it is, it is a gift. So many individuals don’t get a chance to make it as far as you did.
What are some things that people don't get a chance to do?
So many individuals don’t get a chance to make it as far as you did. Disease, poverty, famines, and droughts claim thousands of lives each year, but you were lucky. You got to live, to survive, to exist and to be able to dream. Be grateful for your life. 2.
What does it mean when you love something?
Everything you love gives you joy. It becomes a part of you and can easily make you smile or tear up.
What does it mean when your heart is like a three year old?
Scared, wounded, healed, and still up for more of the same, your heart is like the spirit of a three-year-old. No matter how much it bears, it bounces back. If it were to stop even for a second, your life could be in danger.
How does mirroring affect the brain?
This process is triggered via the activation of specific brain regions through the stimulation of specialized neurons called mirror neurons. [5] .
What is a firm friend?
A complex science, a firm friend. Your mind can wander to destinations unknown and yet be back to the present in a fraction of a second. It keeps you hoping, dreaming, thinking. It is in essence a part of what makes you, you.
Life
Health
- ”At least you have your health.” Heard that before? According to Valerie Reiss, holistic living editor for Beliefnet, you should be grateful for your health because it is the foundation of who you are. According to Reiss, you don’t necessarily need to be physically and mentally well to feel healthy, but when you do feel healthy, it’s one of life’s ...
Employment
- People often complain about their job, calling it the daily grind or worse. But having a job is something for which you can really be grateful. A job probably gets you out of the house every day and adds variety into your daily life so that you are not just sitting at home on the couch. Even more, a job helps you pay your bills and means you’re not standing in the unemployment line or …
Family
- Some people love ‘em, some don’t: families. If you’re one of those whose family loves and supports you, consider yourself lucky and be grateful. Feel thankful and express that gratefulness if you are lucky enough to have family who is more like friends: They’re people you can confide in and who will be there for you through thick and thin. Many people don’t have that kind of family, …
Friends
- You can’t pick your family, but you can pick your friends. If you’ve chosen good ones, remember to be grateful for them and express your love and appreciation. According to Reiss, friends are the families we make. Friends help you remember who you really are and who you can become. They remind you what you want and need, as well as what you deserve. True friends are there throug…
The Outdoors
- How lucky are we to have parks and trees and rivers and trails and animals and mountains and hills and oceans? The outdoors is such a blessing, and one for which we should always be grateful. According to Reiss, the natural outdoors helps you feel connected to every aspect of this earth — the ground, the sky and everything and every creature in between.
Free Time
- You may feel like you never have enough, but you should be grateful for what free time you do have. Free time lets you be you. You get to do your favorite things, no matter what those are. Free time allows you to sleep more, enjoy the outdoors, relax at home, garden, fish— whatever you enjoy most. Be grateful that you get the opportunity to do the things you love.
Modern Technology
- Though it’s the one material thing on this list, it is important to feel gratefulness for today’s modern gadgets. Think about how much they contribute to your daily life. For some, they help them do their jobs every day. Some people use them solely as a form of entertainment. For some, they provide a beat to keep you motivated during your run or gym workout. Feel even more grate…
Be Grateful.“The Root of Joy Is Gratefulness” – David Steindl-Rast
Annual Review
- When I started out in my career, like many, I was a ‘raw’, hard working, and driven individual. I was of the opinion that the mantra of “working hard” and letting the rest fall into place was sufficient. So I just worked hard. Whatever I was asked to do, I did. When the annual performance review rolled around, I was confident that I had done what was sufficient for a promotion. I submitted …
The Day After…
- Overnight, I gained some perspective and reminded myself of life’s gifts including my good fortune of a promising job in a great organization. I dragged myself back into my manager’s office and I reiterated what I thought I heard about my career, acknowledged my manager’s feedback and uttered a more thoughtful thank you. I think I said something along these lines “…thank you f…
A Life of Its Own
- So, back to the story, it was the shell-shocked look on their faces that gave it away. I knew I had just performed an act that is extremely rare. That was my first lesson on Brand Differentiation.Remember that: By stepping out and acting different, I separated myself from others and my actions took on a life of their own. My action opened doors and gave me unlimite…