A Grateful Heart

While we are getting ready to come out of our sheltered lives; it is important to think about gratitude. Being grateful and expressing appreciation has many benefits. From reducing depression to increasing happiness and life satisfaction. Appreciating even the smallest things can (believe it or not) prolong our life. Not only that but it is also how you can express the people you show gratitude towards that you care for them and how important they are. 

It is important to be thankful for all the good things as well as the bad because we wouldn’t know happiness or gratitude without pain. We wouldn’t be able to tell the difference if we only knew happiness. Expressing our gratitude for the good things that happen in our lives brings good and positive thoughts that can help influence our behavior and increase happiness.

When we see all the pain and sorrow in the world, so many people struggling with negative thoughts; and perhaps even sharing the same difficulties often makes us forget what has been given to us instead of focusing on what we have. Acknowledging what we have allows us to feel grateful and content beneath all the troubles and difficulties we go through. It helps us shut down all the negative emotions we may have like envy and resentment. By allowing such emotions we hinder our happiness and lose focus on the opportunities we may have right in front of our eyes. 

Gratitude is what lets us experience life at its best. It is a social and human emotion that shows appreciation and recognition to return kindness. The moment we let gratitude become part of our daily practice the perspective and appreciation for everything changes. Our hearts will be more open and full of compassion, we’ll be living a life with a greater purpose, we’ll be able to see struggles in a different light and find good even in moments of crisis. 

Practice gratefulness every day, celebrate the good, acknowledge the positive things; it will make extraordinary changes happen in your life and most importantly we will be able to recognize God’s blessings and not take them for granted.

God, help me to be infinitely grateful for how fortunate I am and how much love I can create.