Spiritual Development

One of the most famous lines in cinema history comes from the movie Forest Gump. While sitting at a bus stop and engaging in conversation with various people, the eponymous character says the iconic words, “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get”. Life is indeed something of a mixed bag; you never know what each day or moment may bring. When life roughs you up, one of the first things to remember is that you do have a choice in how you respond to it. You aren’t helpless and your responses to the situation aren’t predetermined. You can decide how to respond to a given situation, and you can choose what mindset to adopt as you face challenges. That doesn’t mean pretending a tough situation isn’t tough, but it might mean adopting a healthy mindset toward that situation. Being grateful and maintaining a mindset of gratitude can help you tackle the various challenges life throws at you. There are many benefits of gratitude which this article will explore. What Is Gratitude? The word “gratitude” comes from the Latin word gratia. Depending on the context in which that word is used, it can mean grace, graciousness, or gratefulness. Gratitude often encompasses all these varied meanings because it is a thankful appreciation for what you’ve received that has enriched your life. The things that have enriched your life could include tangible things like the home you own, or the resources at your disposal, but it can also refer to the intangible things like your health and the rich relationships that are part of your life. When you express gratitude, you acknowledge the goodness in your life, and that often leads you to recognize that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside yourself. Being [...]