“Gratitude is exalted as one of the most important virtues (dharma) in many Hindu texts,” says Dr. Vasudha Narayanan, a distinguished Professor of Religion, University of Florida.

What is gratitude? If it is saying only a ‘Thank You’ for the help received, then we need to know and understand a lot more about it. The curiosity to know about gratitude in depth made me read a good number of articles about it. There was a sentence in one of the articles which stated that gratitude is a feeling and a gesture to show appreciation and gratefulness for all things, big and small.

Gratitude Day was first celebrated in 1965, and it was officially adopted by the United Nations Meditation Group and recognized as a day where people from around the world and walks of life show their gratefulness for whatever things they have in their life. Though it started as a day, practising gratefulness each day can shift our focus from what our life lacks to the abundance it has. Besides, behavioural and psychological researches have shown surprising life improvements that can stem from practising gratitude. Giving thanks makes people happier and more resilient; it strengthens relationships, improves health; and it reduces stress.

The more appreciation we show the more we get it in return. When we appreciate Nature by taking care of it, it flourishes in abundance. Appreciate the people who had made a difference in our life through our gestures, words and acts and we will receive selfless and unconditional love from them.

We have to be grateful to ourselves. Appreciating self not only makes us feel calm and confident but also motivates us to achieve more easily. People who are grateful for the things they have and the life they are living right now are happier, calmer, and can perform and achieve more.

“Gratitude makes us feel more gratitude.”

With the above tagline, the PYP teachers in our school have started a gratitude journal where a few minutes are spent every day to produce gratitude. This mindful act triggers a grateful mood in them and increases long term wellbeing.

Let’s practise gratitude through honest acts that do not expect anything in return because it builds a worthy and happier life!