With a Heart of Gratitude

When it comes to the subject of gratitude, I try to be very intentional about it and to also encourage others to have the same attitude about it. I won't say I'm the best at being grateful. I have had several moments and situations where I was ungrateful. The world is harsh, and life isn't fair as they say. We don't always have things we want or how we want them, and in such times ingratitude sets in, making us forget the good we've been enjoying all along.

In some of these cases, it usually feels valid to complain, often throwing us into a state of forgetfulness that the “small” and “common” things get neglected. Gratitude gives a different outlook about life and situations. It doesn't mean we don't see or recognise the challenges and difficulties that come our way, but we choose to be grateful because even amidst all. So we put more consideration and focus on the good rather than being overwhelmed by complaints.

I have many reasons to be grateful. Ultimately, life itself is a major point of my gratitude. I wouldn't even be in that challenge or difficult situation if life were not in me. And it's said that “When there's life, there's hope.” The consciousness that I'm alive, despite whatever it is I'm going through, makes me know that there's more for me. And hope builds up in that moment. Hope builds up and gratitude sets in, all in God for the gift of life.

Good health! Since I really knew the value and worth of health, it's been one of my biggest treasures in life. “Health is wealth” they say. I couldn't agree more. You don't actually realise the value of good health until you fall sick and you can't do the normal things you do, and maybe you have to spend a lot of your finances, then you realise its worth. I don't even need to fall sick to recognise that. It's been a point of gratitude for me, every day that I live.

Value good relationships! It's been one of my mantras in life. I believe in the power of good associations and relationships. We can't do it all by ourselves in this life. That's why we have others and we're social beings. We need help and support from one another. I've seen the value of good relationships and associations in my life and that of others. Having a good family, friends and loved ones is a gift in life, one that I've enjoyed. So, I'm grateful for that.

The practice of gratitude benefits our lives. It sets us in a more relaxed and positive state even in the midst of difficulties. Gratitude makes us value the little things in life that are mostly ignored. It influences our relationships as we value the good people around us and it shows in the way we treat them, even the little things they do for us. In a nutshell, let's live life with gratitude in mind. And as said by a popular preacher here, “Gratitude is the seed for more.”

Image is AI generated.

Thank you for reading!