Let's Talk About Gratitude with the Positivity Project

What is Gratitude Mean in this Season of Giving?

It’s the season of giving. But what does that really mean? In this blog post, we’ll discuss gratitude and why it’s such an important characteristic children need to take the time to develop. After all, Thanksgiving is not only about eating delicious food, it’s also about taking time to give thanks and be appreciative of what we have.

What is Gratitude?

The Positivity Project defines gratitude as “You are aware of and thankful for good things that happen.” It is when individuals are appreciative of the world around them. In Hallmark movies, it is that moment when the spoiled protagonist stops and looks around and realizes that without the loving people around them, life would have no meaning.

People are drawn to gratitude. While it is a trait that is easily resisted, this characteristic is described as the “single best predictor of [an] individual’s well-being. Grateful people are more likely than their counterparts to feel a commitment to others – and believe in an interconnectedness of the world and its people.”

When you practice gratitude, you live each day with the realization that people matter. The people of your past and present have provided you with strengths and opportunities for growth that have brought you to where you are. You look for every opportunity to say “thank you” and to live each day to the fullest. 

True gratitude is not ignoring the negative parts of life; instead, it is being aware of the poor experiences but choosing to appreciate goodness.

How Do We Become Grateful?

Gratitude is not grown overnight. It is a slow process that requires an individual to practice it daily. “The more you practice [gratitude], the stronger it gets – and the more you’re able to reap its benefits.” 

Having a grateful heart can start small. End each day by writing down five things you are grateful for and five people you appreciate. Challenge yourself to genuinely thank someone each day and look for every opportunity to say thank you. 

We love these words from Maya Angelou: “Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer.” 

Start each day with a grateful spirit and end each day with appreciation for the moments and people who helped you grow. 

To learn more about gratitude, check out the Positivity Project’s post here.

To learn more about the Positivity Project, click here.