Gratitude brings Happiness!…and Finding Purpose!

There are times when we feel that showing gratitude or simply saying “thank you” may be somewhat forced and does not make a difference. How often, for example, have we told someone: “Well, you could say thank you!” Their retort being: “Okay. Thank you! I’ve said it. Now does that make you happy?”

Well yes actually, I would say it does. It sure makes a person happy when they receive a thank you or clearly feel appreciated for a certain deed, and vice versa.

What happens to the other person when you thank them? Thank them for what you may ask?

How about a thank you for just being your friend, for loving you, for being a good parent or child, for being a good teacher, nurse, nanny, assistant, employee, pastor, mentor, encourager, or volunteer and so the list goes on.

You can create a well of happiness in the life of another person with your words. You can make somebody’s day and you can make a person feel relevant in the grand scheme of things. By showing gratitude, you can build up someone else’s self-esteem and you can provide encouragement. That is unquantifiable!

Furthermore, you receive more when you show gratitude.

We teach our children the three magic words of sorry, please and thank you, and many kids learn early on the benefits of using some of them! As soon as a child can utter the word ‘thank you,’ he or she knows that a lot of thank yous can lead to more goodies. They often say it until you acknowledge that you’ve heard them. I know mine did that when they were youngerJ. Kids find it easy to exercise gratitude when something makes them happy. They don’t forget and, in seeking your approval, are quick to show appreciation.

Another illustration of this came when many years ago, whilst on a business trip to New York I visited with a close friend and spent three nights in her home. Every night the family gave their devotions, and each of the two children was asked to pray. The younger of the two, who was four years old at the time, after thanking God for daddy, mummy, his sister and his nanny, would always thank God for McDonalds! I found it funny the first night, but after hearing him consistently go through his prayer of thanksgiving on the second and third nights, never leaving out McDonald’s, I was curious and asked his mum to explain. She told me that on the days she worked long hours and came home too tired to cook, McDonald’s was always their default and affordable dinner.

While these examples show how showing gratitude can sometimes provide you with an assurance that more will be given, some of us were not brought up to attach too much importance to words such as ‘thank you’, or even to use them at all. But we are never too old to learn! So, if needs be, let’s learn to show gratitude, say thank you to those who’ve earned it and who deserve it.

What showing gratitude can do for you?

Showing gratitude can open up a whole new level of positivity within you. You will definitely be a happier individual. As you spend time showing gratitude toward others, you develop a grateful mindset that ultimately creates for you a more positive approach to life. In essence, it’s a whole new life of purposeful living.

It can trigger clarity of purpose as you impact other people’s lives, perhaps eventually leading you to finding your purpose in life. It is human nature to want to seek happiness in life, and so exercising gratitude and finding genuine purpose can unlock a well of happiness for you. Show gratitude in every way you can and see how events can turn in your favor.

I hope you go on day-by-day living a life of gratitude. I await your testimonials!

Thanks for stopping by, and encouraging me as I walk my journey of life. You are an essential part of why I’m inspired to dream big, and walk in my purpose.