The Benefits of an Attitude of Gratitude

by Payton Gagon: Brightonian Staff Writer

Holiday times bring out the best and worst in people. Some of us get greedy and demand certain gifts. However, that is not what the holiday season is about. We should all have more gratitude for what we have and who we have in our lives. We should acknowledge how much we have in life. When we do this, we see the world from a different perspective. We become happier and more humble.

According to Harvard Health Publishing, “Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.” Some people may find it hard to have gratitude, but there are so many benefits in simply saying “thank you.” Personally, I am a strong believer in saying “thank you,” but it has no meaning if you don’t truly mean it. Gratitude is about having a humble and grateful heart; it is about your attitude, not what you say.

Having a grateful heart is not seasonal. You should try to think about what you are grateful for daily. By doing this, you realize more of what you have, rather than what you don’t have. Even when it may seem like you have nothing, I can promise you that there is always someone or something to be grateful for. It could be a simple as having a roof over your head. The good always finds a way to outweigh the bad.