The Importance of Gratitude

Life is full of twists and turns that come at you on a daily basis. Some are good and some are bad, but we always find a way to make it through regardless of the situation. And this is where gratitude comes into play. Somehow, we have to find the silver lining when things don’t go the way we had planned them to. In dealing with pain, disappointment or grief, gratitude is probably the last thing we look for to console us but at some point, we should lean on it in the healing process. Gratitude plays a key role in my life as it is a key component of my daily mental health.

1. It keeps me grounded. Sometimes in life, I can get a bit arrogant and entitled. If I am driving, I want the driver in front of me to go faster or get out of the way. If I am dining out, I want the service to be faster. If a package I ordered is not here when it’s supposed to be, I may get perturbed. Then I remember that life is not about me, it is about all people. We are all going through something, I am not the only one with problems. I then give thanks for all that I have and the blessings that have been bestowed upon me. I realize that my life is pretty awesome, and I should be thankful.
2. It shows me that life is a gift. There are no guarantees in life for tomorrow is not granted. Celebrate with great elation the time that you have here for time is precious and should be treated as such. The presence of simple things such as coffee in the morning, tennis on a sunny day or just a simple walk in my neighborhood gives me great pleasure and I relish every moment. We…