From the Chaplaincy

An Attitude of Gratitude

At a time when we are bombarded with so many negatives, such as the cost-of-living crisis, political and social division, international conflicts, environmental issues and so on, it is easy to forget the importance of being thankful for what we have around us already, be it friends, family, work, our neighbours, a beautiful, peaceful park, a sunny day... many things. 

At the recent Year 8 Religious Buffet, students studied and graciously presented a different faith. At our table we discussed the term “Grace” and the importance of giving gratitude. Giving thanks was a theme repeated around the room. 

The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness (depending on the context). In some ways, gratitude encompasses all of these meanings. Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives. In the process, people usually recognize that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside themselves. As a result, being grateful also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals — whether to other people, nature, or a higher power. (Harvard Health Publishing)

A study from the Greater Good Science Centre, University of California Berkley said this, “We’ve discovered scientific proof that when people regularly work on cultivating gratitude, they experience a variety of measurable benefits: psychological, physical, and social. In some cases, people have reported that gratitude led to transformative life changes. And even more importantly, the family, friends, partners, and others who surround them consistently report that people who practice gratitude seem measurably happier and are more pleasant to be around. I’ve concluded that gratitude is one of the few attitudes that can measurably change peoples’ lives. The article goes on to quantify the benefits.

Mary Baker Eddy says in Science & Health P3.

“Gratitude is much more than verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech. Are we grateful for the good already received? Then we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have, and thus be fitted to receive more”. 

Giving thanks is free, it costs nothing, be it saying thank you, writing a note, or just reflecting on the good in our lives, rather than the negatives.

Gratitude, kindness and paying it forward is right in the wheelhouse of Huntingtower. 

It is one of our core values.

From the Chaplaincy