My dear daughter,
We are now living in a world where most people take each other and most things for granted. We seem to feel that we are entitled to things, and are not appreciative of people and whatever helping hand is extended to us. I really think this is a great pity because it makes life seem so mechanical.
My dear, I would not like you to live your life as if you are on “auto pilot” – dealing with persons mechanically. Be human. Take time to relate to persons as individuals and fellow human beings. When someone takes the trouble to be nice to you or do you a favour, it is important to say thank you. If you are focused, you will be aware of when someone does something extra special that took a lot of time and thought. Be sure to take the necessary steps to show and express your gratitude for such an act.
The challenges and pressures of life a can make us anxious, harden us and make us insensitive to the needs of others. In our greed for what can make our own lives easier, we sometimes do not mind who we step on or hurt. We could easily allow ourselves to forget our connection with the needs of those around us. That is sad because“It is in giving that we receive.” – St Francis of Assisi. Unless we somehow learn to be grateful and to share with others, we will not be able to be truly happy.
Being thankful has a definite connection with happiness. A research study conducted from 2003 to 2008 by scientists at the University of California, Davis, stated:“Religions and philosophies have long embraced gratitude as an indispensable manifestation of virtue, and an integral component of health, wholeness, and well-being. Through conducting highly focused, cutting-edge studies on the nature of gratitude, its causes, and its consequences, we hope to shed important scientific light on this important concept.”
Some of their findings include:
- Most people report being grateful (an average rating of nearly 6 on a 7 point scale). In other words, most people have a good sense of gratefulness and see it as necessary and central for correct balance of their life.
- Grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions, life satisfaction, vitality, optimism and lower levels of depression and stress.
- People with a strong disposition toward gratitude have the capacity to be empathic and to take the perspective of others.
- Gratitude does not require religious faith, but faith enhances the ability to be grateful.
- Grateful individuals place less importance on material goods, and are less likely to judge their own and others success in terms of possessions accumulated. They are less envious of others and more likely to share their possessions with others relative to less grateful persons.
In conclusion my dear, this study seems to point out that gratitude is simply good for you. Life is quite challenging, however a grateful attitude helps us keep a generally positive outlook on daily life.
It can strengthen one’s health – not only of your body but also of your soul!
Report from: https://psychology.ucdavis.edu/labs/emmons/