Why the practice of gratitude is good for us

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Of all the expressions in the dictionary, there are two that probably evoke very powerful and positive emotions — one is “Thank you” to show our appreciation and the other is “I am sorry” when we’re in the wrong. These maxims, when said from the heart and delivered with sincerity, have the power to eliminate negative feelings and experiences and replace them with a more optimistic and contented outlook on life.

When we express gratitude through speech or action or merely extend grateful thanks for whatever reason, we’re building productive relationships and deepening our own sense of well-being. Gratitude gives us a moment to reflect and accept what we have, and appreciate all that is good in our lives.

Below are 15 perceptive observations on the upside of gratitude:

"Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good."

— Maya Angelou, author

"True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing. The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not."

— Seneca, Roman philosopher, statesman and dramatist

"Reflect upon your present blessings—of which every man has many—not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."

— Charles Dickens, author

"Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough."

— Oprah Winfrey, talk show host and author

"Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance."

— Eckhart Tolle, spiritual teacher and self-help author

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"Make it a habit to tell people, ‘thank you.’ To express your appreciation sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it."

— Ralph Marston, American football player

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for."

— Epicurus, Greek philosopher

"Give yourself a gift of five minutes of contemplation in awe of everything you see around you. Go outside and turn your attention to the many miracles around you. This five-minute-a-day regimen of appreciation and gratitude will help you to focus your life in awe."

— Wayne Dyer, self-help author and motivational speaker

"I seriously feel like the best days are ahead, and I like the idea of getting to do everything I did before but with more knowledge, experience, and street smarts. There's a certain love, appreciation, and gratitude that you have at 40 that you don't have when you're younger, and it makes every accomplishment feel so much better."

— Jennifer Lopez, actor

"Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings."

— William Arthur Ward, motivational writer

“'Thank you' is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.

— Alice Walker, novelist and short story writer

"Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."

— Marcel Proust, novelist and literary critic

"We learned about gratitude and humility — that so many people had a hand in our success, from the teachers who inspired us to the janitors who kept our school clean... and we were taught to value everyone's contribution and treat everyone with respect."

— Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States and author

"Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is."

— Ernest Hemingway, author

"When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in."

— Kristin Armstrong, Olympic gold medallist

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