The Importance of Gratitude

Suffering is a common aspect of life, and some moments will be harder than others, but it does not have to define our entire lives. Focusing on gratitude can train the brain to be more positive. According to research, it is impossible to be both nervous and grateful at the same time. Focusing on gratitude may seem superficial or oversaid, but there is a reason many people swear by it. Starting your day by writing down five things you are grateful for will transform it. Whatever you observe and tell yourself consistently is what your brain will believe. As a result, if you begin your day by reflecting on all of the wonderful things for which you are grateful, your brain will begin to seek out more positive aspects of your life. Additionally when you start your day with your gratitude you start to realize how lucky you are to simply be alive and healthy here on Earth. If you are reading this blog you have a lot more than most people here on this Earth. Millions of individuals around the world do not even have access to a roof over their heads at this time. They have no clean water to drink and have no idea how they will get another meal.  Observe how you start to appreciate the many blessings in your life and the grace that comes with having access to the little things we often take for granted. Make it your mission to jot down five things for which you are thankful each day for 21 days. See how much more content and at ease you feel after the 21 days.  Gratitude lists do not need to be just for yourself, they can be for family members, friends, co-workers, strangers, etc. In a study involving couples, it was discovered that people who took the time to express thanks to their partner felt better about them as well as more at ease talking about relationship issues. Additionally, businesses whose bosses express gratitude more often to their workers have better business and better work environments. Gratitude for those around us can make everything better. Everyone wants to feel loved and appreciated, and we sometimes get so caught up in our own lives that we forget to express our gratitude to those we care about the most. After you've finished reading this, I encourage you to contact a family member or friend and express how thankful they are to have you. Life is too uncertain to be pessimistic, practice gratitude and see how the world around you transforms. 

- Written by Jillian Falvo, Undergraduate Intern