Why You Should Embrace Gratitude, the Queen of Virtues.

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.

Marcus Tullius Cicero

How often are you genuinely happy for what you have, or do you rather gripe and groan over what you lack? Have there been times you hesitated to show gratitude so as not to appear less privileged? Or are you simply uncomfortable with kind gestures?

I know that a lot of people struggle with expressing gratitude for different reasons and returning a favor doesn’t come easily to some. However, it is a virtue everyone should intentionally embrace as a lifestyle.

Gratitude is thankfulness and appreciation for kind gestures. It is a response to the favor, goodwill or value gotten from benefactors. Expressing gratitude is an indication of contentment for what one has.

Contrary to some beliefs, gratitude is not an emotion or a feeling; it is a choice, it is a decision, it is a commitment. Expressing gratitude does not in any way, strip one of self-esteem or self-worth, but rather, it uplifts the soul.

I know there are times we are faced with challenges that make it hard for us to recognize the good in our lives, times when we feel like the odds are against us, and we think that we have no reason to express gratitude.

However, I have learnt that in spite of the chaos and trauma happening in our lives, when we pause and reflect on the entirety of our lives, we will identify countless reasons to be grateful, most importantly for the gift of life and the giver of life.

Since I consciously began to practice gratitude, I have realized that gratitude does as much good to the thanksgiver as much as it does to the thanksreceiver.

Now, here is how being grateful works for me.

Being grateful helps me gain confidence and resilience to pull through difficult times. I gain a sense of contentment and fulfillment while I enjoy indisputable peace and a sense of abundance and wellness.

Gratitude strengthens my faith, renews my mind and improves my emotions. I become more positive and hopeful, and I can recognize and focus on the possibilities in the difficulties I face. I can confidently live in the moment and focus on the value I create.

Finally, gratitude helps me to recognize and appreciate the good people in my life and the gift of friendships.

It is impossible to appreciate the positives in our lives if we are fixated on only the not-so-good experiences. Life is a journey with twists and turns, ups as well as downs. However remember that the tough times don’t last, they only came to pass.

Besides, there is so much good in being genuinely happy for what you have and where you are, while you look forward to what is to come. Therefore, I challenge you to shift your focus from what is not working to what is working and allow hope to come alive within you.

Thank you for letting me share my life with you. Please take some time to share in the comments section what you are grateful for, I believe it will encourage someone else.