When you hear the word "gratitude" in my part of the world it all boils down to saying "thank you" when you have been given a helping hand, one faithful day (not faithful though) I decided to try a little trick on my aunty, I texted that I needed her support for something when she sent the stuff I ignored and didn't call her back to say thank you, after a few minutes of not hearing from me, she called me and I at the other hand pretended like I wasn't paying attention to what she was saying "omo that was how my aunt started saying all sort of things" hehe!!.
A little piece of advice please don't try this In an African home, "You better not try that" The word "gratitude" is an emotion that is associated with the term "appreciation" and being "thankful" Some persons might see it as just saying "thank you " and feeling sober when someone shows you kindness but then it goes beyond that.
Growing up there was a particular advert that normally popped up on the television screen that I loved, they'd be like "Why worry when you have your family" Now tell me "Why worry when you have a job that pays the bills" I've noticed people worry themselves too much to the point that they have forgotten the important things they have around them.
People tend to worry about the things they don't have forgetting the little things (though amazing) that they have. Recently I've realized that it is the little achievements in life that matter, though we always tend to aim higher and attain greater heights.
What do I mean by gratitude going beyond uttering the words? Well, I've recently realized that gratitude is a lifestyle and not just saying "thank you" that is associated with a facial expression. Learning to appreciate every little thing creates room for more, it shows we are satisfied with where we are though not where we ought to be but then looking back at where we came from no doubt there has been a drastic shift and for that alone "we are grateful".
Gratitude takes effect from the heart before its being expressed facially and thats what this phrase " from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" reflects.
Appreciating everything in our lives is very important not just as some sort of "think positive" mantra but as a key to optimistic well-being, I know often it's not easy to appreciate what we have cause we are human and desire more which sometimes leads to us feeling less powerful about ourselves and that has contributed to a drop of our well being which also, in turn, has distracted us from appreciating the amazing things we have around us.
Without gratitude life can be depressing, fatiguing, and lonely, gratitude enriches our lives, it makes us feel comfortable about ourselves.
In conclusion: I read in a book that gratitude is a choice and I believe that because whatever we do in life has to do with the choices we make. So choose gratitude, choose to be happy with the world around you, I'm super grateful for the life I'm living, and I'm grateful for my family, they are the source of my strength in doing better for myself every day.
This is my entry to the #inleo monthly prompt day 5 and you can also be a part of the prompt by clicking on the Link.
Thanks for reading🌹