What is Gratitude?

Looking over anyone’s life, you experienced a blessing or a lesson. Things may seem unfair, but it all works together for good. The moment you believe and receive this, you feel happier and unburdened. Learning to be content and showing appreciation is gratitude. There’s nothing wrong with being satisfied with what you have and where you are in life while you are on the way to where you are going. Learning how to sacrifice to get things is gratitude and patience. What is the true meaning of gratitude? “Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives”. ~ Harvard Health.

Special Occasions

The Holidays are my favorite, starting from Halloween until New Year, with a few birthdays thrown in. It’s when things get really revved up. Halloween, you pray for all those passed souls who died. Whether or not you knew them, e.g., veterans, babies, dads, moms, teachers… Then you dress up and scare everyone with weird costumes at a party, in your neighborhood, family, workplace, or wherever. Great humor is healing, and it crosses all boundaries of people. We cooked, walked with the children, and collected candy. This is how it is in America because you can become anyone you choose on Halloween. Entire neighborhoods are a masquerade ball.

Thanksgiving is here, and you are grateful for everything you have: the hard work that paid off, the help from others, and the inspiration and motivation of prayer. You are thankful for being healthy and wise with friends and family, for knowing them, and for having their support and love. Being a supportive person makes those emotions better and builds moral character. Thanksgiving and Christmas, we prepare healthy gifts for all. It was never about turkey, Indians, or pilgrims for us. It is about being thankful we could be together and enjoy each other under one roof. We come from all walks of life. We all had to start somewhere; remember that.

Giving

Christmas arrives, and you can’t wait to show and tell them how much they appreciate it. You give the beauty of any gift because it’s from your heart. Gifts can be monetary, DIY handmade, personal touch, sentimental, seasonal, or athletic. The list is endless; really, it is. By New Year’s, you’re thrilled, high on life, and ready to start anew. An alternative lifestyle, finances, romance, family, and you make a resolution and start from the beginning. Again!

“I always do that which I can not do so that I may learn how to do it.”

“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” ~ Pablo Picasso

All celebrations should be those unique LIFE events. We all have so many small and great ones throughout our lifetime. You don’t need one great big one to enjoy life. “It’s truly the little things, it’s the little things that count” ~ Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise Movie: Knight and Day.

No one owes you a living. You owe that to yourself and those you bring into your life. Be safe out there, and don’t forget to mask up, keep your distance, and always wash your hands. Need a mask?

Check out some of our other articles. Another book about Stoics and beliefs that might interest you. Meditations of Marcus Aurelius: Stoic Principles for Self-Improvement.