There are apparently two origins for the word Gratitude. The first one is from the Latin word gratus, which means “thankful”. The second one is also from Latin from the word gratia, which also means “mercy”, “favor”, or “grace”.

You could say gratitude is the appreciation of graces and favors.

The Roman philosopher Cicero described gratitude as the mother of all virtues.

But in a world of “blink and you miss it”, gratitude seems to be frequently absent.

In fact, there is a phrase to describe the lack of gratitude we see in many people living in the most affluent countries: First World Problems.

“My coffee is too cold. The line is a bit long. This food tastes ‘meh’.”

I would like to encourage everyone to practice Mindful Appreciation.

Let’s be mindful of every blessing that we have.

Some people feel the need to compare what they have to those who have less to feel gratitude.

You don’t need to do that to see your blessings.

Keep a daily gratitude journal using a notebook or a smartphone app.

Every day jot down 3 to 5 things you appreciate and are grateful for.

In time, the feeling of gratitude and appreciation will come naturally, and positivity will follow.

If you found this topic interesting, please join us at The Mental Wellness Society Group where we can discuss these mental tools in more detail.