Story: Ayo’s Opposition to Gratitude
Floating in his thought, he stationed the moving glass cup 5 inches away from his lips. The transparent cup had a greenish-yellow coloured wine gently settling in elegance. Tope the waiter at Tee’s Lounge knows Chaplis is what Ayo will always go for, except he orders a different wine, which happens on rare occasions.
Caught by the fleeting thought of his achievements for the year, his face abruptly turned blue accompanied by a thundering sigh that arrested Femi’s attention.
“Guy wetin dey sup?” Femi hastily asked.
Rocking his head in dismay, he said, “Today is the 27th, of December. I had tons of plans for 2023 but I can only boast of achieving two-thirds of them. Isn’t that frustrating enough? Guy! Lately, I go to bed every night resenting my effort.”
“Omo! You are not serious, Ayo. aren’t you grateful? I have watched you make so much effort this year. And I have seen God bless your efforts with groundbreaking results. And that’s a lot to be grateful for.” Femi Muttered.
“Grateful Bawo? When my mates are doing much more, I should be here being grateful for what I couldn’t achieve. Guy forget that thing!”
“You ain’t your mate! I am not saying you should be complacent. But you should know some people you call your mates, are wishing they are where you are today. And you have life, which means you have hope to achieve all your goals. The goal here is to be happy and thankful because gratitude begets success.” Femi said.
“Hmmm…” Ayo nodded in affirmation still drenched in dismay.
Often, we become so engrossed in the failure that happens to us that we give less attention to the success we’ve achieved. Ayo might not be an ungrateful personality, but the fact that he couldn’t achieve all his goals, made him sound ungrateful. many a time, this is a reflection of who we are, especially when nature is about ending a journey around the sun, to begin another. It’s only human to feel unhappy when you can’t achieve all your goals for the year and it’s already December 31st. But giving that feeling the power to decide if you should be grateful and happy about the few wins you’ve had, is detrimental to your self-esteem and future wins.
Why Gratitude?
Let’s take a look at some key insights on gratitude.
The act of gratitude has often been limited to words, neglecting that it stretches beyond how well one can often say words of gratitude, to how one can express gratitude in attitudes and gestures. When we begin to see gratitude as a lifestyle, we will understand why gratitude houses success and grace.
Aside from the fact that gratitude is necessary, 2023 is a year that came with its bag pack of joy, blessings, twists and turns. For some, 2023 had them mourning a loved one; for some, this was their best year yet; for others, it was seasoned with laughter and tears. Hence, despite the bad patches we face, it’s a privilege and reality worth being grateful for; this reality is the hope, called life.
3 Key Benefits of Gratitude
1. Gratitude Reduces Depression
The Bible keeps cheering us up, to give gratitude to God in all situations. In Philippians, Paul said, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (see Philippians 4:6-7)
This shows that gratitude births peace, which is no breeding mate for depression. When we learn to be grateful, we are unconsciously derailing from the path of depression because we begin to see and understand why we should overlook circumstances that seem to get hold of our joy and peace.
2. Gratitude Improves Self-esteem
When you keep being grateful for where you are, who you are, what you do, who you are becoming, and what you’ve achieved, you are rightly boosting your mental health and improving your self-esteem because you are accepting yourself regardless of the “nays” you receive from people and the ugly situations that surround you.
When you practice gratitude, you won’t feel inferior even if others around you got gold medals and you got only a bronze medal because it helps you build consciousness of process and constructive comparison instead of destructive comparison.
3. Gratitude Builds Potential and Improves Productivity
We learned in the first key benefit that gratitude reduces depression. Growth and productivity take place in a stable and favourable environment. If a person lacks peace and healthy self-esteem, growth and productivity become abstract and unachievable.
Gratitude improves a person’s belief system, which supports growth and productivity.
3 Ways To Be Grateful
1. Shun Complaint
Most times, we are quick to complain and be so ungrateful about one thing that went wrong, out of the ten things that went the way we planned. Why stress and drain yourself complaining when you can be grateful and happy? A happy mind inspires productivity.
Also read: What is the difference between purpose and destiny? Learn here.
2. Don’t Only Speak It. Act It
Show gratitude. Don’t limit how grateful you can be to just words. Celebrate your wins, and treat yourself. One of the best ways to show gratitude is to give back to your society in whatever way you can, through your potential (talents, gifts, volunteering), etc.
3. Practice Gratitude Affirmations
Practising positive affirmations is a healthy lifestyle for wellness and productivity. I think you should adopt this in 2023. Gratitude affirmations are simply showing gratitude to God, and anyone that has made an impact in your journey thus far regardless of how little or huge it is, including yourself.
Flexing your gratitude affirmation muscles helps strengthen your relationships because it shows people how much you value them.
2023 might have been pretty challenging or rewarding or even a touch of both. What’s more important at this point in 2023 is being grateful for how far you’ve come because gratitude inspires greater heights.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to share and leave a comment.
