3 Benefits of Gratitude: Be Happy Now

Posted on by Ipuna Black

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others” (National Association of School Psychologists, 2014, p. 1).

3 Benefits of Gratitude

  1. People who are optimistic and have gratitude have increased well-being and decreased depression (Jiang, Yue, Lu, & Zhu, 2015).
  2. When you have gratitude, there is an increase association with accessing positive memories (Watkins, Uhder, & Pichinevskiy, 2015). (Two of my past posts on positivity: Positivity #1 & Positivity #2Positivity #2.)
  3. Grit (That word again! I ❤️ it!) and gratitude decrease the risk for suicide and increase the meaning in life. (Two of my past posts on grit: Grit #1 & Grit #2) (Kleiman, Adams, Kashdan, & Riskind, 2013).

What to Be Grateful For?

I used to be one that would say, “When I get my bachelor’s degree, life will be easier or get better.” I was a single mother at the age of 21, trying to achieve my Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing. Then, I would say, “When I get remarried, life will be less stressful.” Oh what about, “When I don’t live pay check to pay check, I will be happy.”

Life doesn’t stop. It keeps trucking along. There are new challenges in each stage of my life. I realized that I can’t wait to be happy. I started a new routine at some point in my life where I’d wake up in the morning and think of everything that I am grateful for. Sometimes I do this in my bed! Other times, I go for a morning run and think about what I’m grateful for. This simple process has caused me to start my day on a happy high. Yeah! It’s much easier to face the stresses of the world when you are on a happy high.

Depression is real. Absolutely. It’s a difficult disease/mental state to deal with, but when I begin to think of negative thoughts, I immediately try to counter them with thoughts of gratitude. This may not always do the trick, but it has helped me tremendously.

We don’t have to be grateful for major things in our lives or wait for them, what about the little things.

  • Your health
  • Food
  • Shelter
  • Smiles
  • Hugs
  • Friendships
  • Family
  • Notes
  • Thinking about positive moments in your life
  • You! Be thankful for your life! For your talents! For your presence. Each person is special, and there is NO ONE else like you!!!

Gratitude Summary

Don’t wait to be grateful. Take a moment every day in your life to be grateful for the little things you have. If you are feeling down, maybe offer a service. Write a nice note to a friend. Take someone to lunch. Volunteer at the hospital. Helping others helps you forget about your problems. Be happy now! You are special, and I’m grateful for each and every one of my readers. I have learned so much from all of you since I started to engage in blogging at the beginning of this year.

Have a wonderful and blessed weekend ❤️! Happy Easter if you celebrate it!

Image result for happy easter

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41 thoughts on “3 Benefits of Gratitude: Be Happy Now”

  1. Thanks for the priceless reminder, Ipuna! An attitude of gratitude should start and end every day, another one in the books that we had the chance to celebrate our successes and learn from our failures. What a “beautiful” world. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Yes! I agree, John. I didn’t mention ending my day with gratitude, but I really try hard to do this. I dream better then. Ha ha, but it’s true. Yes. Yes. Yes. Our failures are just as valuable as our successes because they get us one step closer to our goals. You are right. We learn. A “beautiful”​ world ☀️​ it is!

      Liked by 1 person

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  4. Here one of my follower who is pursuing 2nd year of Bsc nursing course going through tough times of nursing internship in an Indian government hospital. She is putting down her thoughts and getting bit depressed about her internship …hope you will guide and advice her in a proper way by commenting on her post and cheer up her after reading her post I will be highly obliged and thankful to you … if you do so

    https://preetikumari858.wordpress.com/2017/04/14/nursing-profession-in-india/

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you for letting me know, Kiran. What a sad and touching blog post. I have so much love for the nursing profession. I will definitely leave my feedback, positive words of encouragement, and hopefully, cheer her up! I truly appreciate that you thought about me to reach out to her. ❤️​

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  5. Here is one of my follower Preeti Kumari who is pursuing 2nd year of Bsc nursing course going through tough times of nursing internship in an Indian government hospital. She is putting down her thoughts and getting bit depressed about her internship …hope you will guide and advice her in a proper way by commenting on her post and cheer up her after reading her post I will be highly obliged and thankful to you … if you do so

    https:/ /preetikumari858.wordpress.com/2017/04/14/nursing-profession-in-india/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Kiran! I responded to her. I feel honored that you thought about me to reach out to her. I love to help any way that I can. Thank you once again. You are a great person. Have a good weekend.

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. You know… this help to the ones who are in need of it is more than any valuable thing..its priceless…thank you so much for your encouragement. ..definately that’s going to help her…me too feeling happy I found the right person to pull out my dear friend and sister from her problematic situation

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  6. Nice article. It reminds me of my every day prayer life. I pray for simple things that some may take for granted. I pray for my feet, fingers, toes, eyes to see, a bed, a car to drive, etc. I literally call out each of these things. I’m so grateful, because when any of these do not work–its not a happy time. ❤

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  7. Gratitude is a great reminder that we all need on a regular bases because let’s face it, it is quite easy at times to not be with just life’s responsibilities around us. I needed this reminder at this moment! 🙂 Hope you are having a lovely start to your weekend Ipuna.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. You are amazing! Thank you! ❤️​ Your kind words truly mean everything to me. I LOVE when I can help start a great day! Now, go for it! Have a fantastic day, Sicilian Mama!!!

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  10. Gratitude is a virtue that is imbibed while in birth. It gets polished in life over the years by experience and having to have inclination for that. It also shines by reading such worthwhile posts.
    Naturally one becomes happier.
    Ipuna!👌👍
    Shiva

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  12. How true! I think a lot of people have a grass-is-greener mindset like what you described (“I’ll be happy when I lose x kg / earn x dollars a month / etc”). I try to shift mine towards having gratitude now rather than hoping for something better later. 🙂

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  14. This post was timely! I think I’ll forward it to my boyfriend too… he just finished his bachelor’s degree, and is realizing that college didn’t solve all his problems like he thought it would. Good points 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yeah! I used to think that too. When I’m done with school, I’ll be happy. With time, hopefully, he will see that you have to choose to try to be happy in all stages of your life while you work for your greater goals. It’s easier said than done for sure.

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      Reply
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