“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.”
Cicero
A lesson I wish I had learned earlier in life was gratitude.
Looking back, my main issue was my ego. Everything revolved around me. If opportunities arose, I was entitled to them. If trouble crossed my path, someone or something was always to blame.
Many years later, this funny thing called life forced me to finally realize it was impossible to have a meaningful life with an inflated ego. Ego prevents you from mastering a craft, working well with others, building relationships, and retaining success. But most importantly, ego repulses opportunities; it is a magnet for enemies and mistakes.
So, how did I get myself out of self-absorption and selfishness? By practicing gratitude, and it was an incredibly humbling experience. Gratitude allowed me to recognize those around me and their impact on my life. Gratitude allowed me to be appreciative of everything life has to offer. Gratitude has provided me with perspective and helped me build a mindset of enjoying everything I have. Gratitude made me more resilient against feelings of entitlement, envy, and dissatisfaction.
He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.
Epictetus
Now, my next challenge after practicing gratefulness was recognizing the bad. It is easy to be grateful to your loved ones, but what about the “bad stuff”?
Is it possible to be grateful for missing a flight due to traffic? Is it possible to be grateful for the loss of a loved one? Is it possible to be grateful for a dark period in your life that might have got you contemplating suicide? It is not easy to be grateful all of life, but it is possible.
When you find yourself facing a challenging situation, it can often feel like there’s no hope on the horizon. Gratitude might appear to be out of reach. However, if we shift our perspective and strive for a more holistic view of the situation, appreciation can emerge. One aspect that may seem obvious but is frequently overlooked is the fact that you are alive. We tend to take this for granted. I admit that I am also guilty of doing so. Additionally, every experience, whether in the past or ongoing, is shaping you into the person you are destined to become. This is actually a positive thing, as it enables you to view the world through the vibrant lens of gratitude.
Conclusion
As I reflect on this transformative lesson of gratitude, I’m filled with appreciation for the profound impact it has had on my life. It’s a reminder that no matter where we are in our journey, it’s never too late to cultivate gratitude and let it enrich our lives in ways we may never have imagined.
