On gratitude

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but also the parent of all the others." – Cicero

Being grateful for the low times as well as the high times is an art and a virtue. The way I learned this as a child was, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” And of course builds your character. I take this to mean being grateful for whatever happens, especially when I don’t see the ‘gift’ in it right away.

Everything, whether we judge it good or bad at the time, is an opportunity and a gift. Some gifts are more apparent, others will only reveal why they were just right for us at a later time.

“Good” news, “bad” news – in labeling we limit possibilities. Gratitude is a skill that we can improve with practice.

The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us. - Voltaire