“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”

Robert Brault

Gratitude means being thankful, noticing simple pleasures, and acknowledging everything that you receive.

Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present.

Behavioural and psychological research has shown that giving thanks makes people happier and more resilient, it strengthens relationships, it improves health, and it reduces stress.
Research Shows Gratitude Heightens Quality of Life.

Two psychologists, Michael McCollough and Robert Emmons did an experiment where they split several hundred people into three different groups.
All of the participants were asked to keep daily diaries.

1. The first group were not being told anything (either good or bad things);
2. The second group was told to record their unpleasant experiences;
3. The last group was instructed to write the things for which they were grateful.

The results of the study indicated that daily gratitude exercises resulted in higher reported levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, optimism, and energy.

In addition, those in the gratitude group experienced less depression and stress, were more likely to help others, exercised more regularly, and made greater progress toward achieving personal goals. Gratitude also encouraged a positive cycle of reciprocal kindness among people since one act of gratitude encourages another.

McCullough says these results show that gratitude works independently of faith. The benefits extend to the general population, regardless of faith or lack of it.

So, no matter what you believe in, be grateful for what you have today. Don’t focus on what you don’t have. You will have a happier life.