Think about it- we have so much to be thankful for. The food we eat, the water we drink, our homes, our friends, family and mentors, our education, and even the very device you are reading this on. Yet, sometimes, we forget all this and instead worry about the things we don’t have. It is so important to step back sometimes and be grateful.
Gratitude is defined as “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness:” but when you practise it, it is so much more than just that. Gratitude is the positive feeling you get when you show thanks and appreciation to the people around you and the things you have. It’s a powerful emotion that promotes happiness and even forgiveness in our lives.
Being grateful can bring many benefits to our lives. Gratitude makes us happier and helps us feel more positive. It makes you relish the experiences in your life and improves your mood. Practising gratitude can benefit your health, as studies have shown that regularly being grateful can reduce blood pressure and stress levels. Moreover, gratitude can also strengthen our relationships. It helps us appreciate others, fostering a sense of empathy and connection. This is why gratitude is so powerful in our busy lives.
There are so many ways we can practise gratitude in our daily lives. For example, create a gratitude journal or jar to write or add one event or person you are grateful for daily. You can also practise gratitude meditation- spending 10-15 minutes daily to sit back and calmly connect with your emotions. Most importantly, you can tell others how thankful you are to them. Could you write a note or give a compliment to show your gratitude? This is simple: affirm someone you genuinely care about.
Practising gratitude is a beautiful thing that has many benefits in our lives. It is showing our thanks for what we have and being grateful. So, take a step back, think of what you are thankful for, show gratitude, and watch the magic of gratitude unfold.
Ira Dwivedi, Grade 7A, Ekya Schools, Byrathi