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Health and Wellness

How to Become More Grateful

Learn to Appreciate More in Life

Katherine Hansford Arce

Mar 14, 2017

Cape Cod, MA

Google

In life, we witness many people who are not grateful for the things they have. At one point in time, they may have appreciated what they have. But after a while, they became so used to what they have that they started taking things-- and people-- for granted. Here are some simple ways in which you can ease your way into becoming more grateful for everything in life.

Acquire a type of faith

You don’t have to be Christian to believe in God. Even if you don’t believe in God, you can still have faith in nature or the universe-- whatever makes more sense in your life. If you, on a day-to-day basis, give thanks to God, Gods, nature, and/or the Universe, you will steadily begin to realize how much you have to be grateful for and appreciative for.

Acknowledge your surroundings

Before or after school or work, learn how to isolate yourself in a room or surrounded by nature. Be sure that it’s only you in the room, if possible and for best effects. Play your favorite songs; look at some soothing pictures; enjoy your favorite drink-- surround yourself and treat yourself with the things you love best. Now, I want you to think for a minute and imagine what your life would be like without the things you love most. What if your favorite songs never existed? What if the photographer never took those pictures or discovered that location? What if the person who created your favorite drink never came into existence? There is an infinite amount of questions that could be asked. Never take anything for granted. Everyone and everything came into your life for a reason!

Appreciate everything you have.

That being said, what do you have in life? Not much? Everything? Happiness depends on the person and how much he/she helps others or how many relationships one has in life. One can have all the objects and money in the world and still not be happy. On the other hand, one can have all the friendships, relationships, and family and feel content. Whether you have much or little of objects and people, learn to appreciate them by thanking this world and God(s)/the Universe. Learn that everything is temporary in your life and nothing lasts forever; so enjoy everyone and everything before they’ll be gone.

Be thankful for everyone and everything in your life

You never know when a person’s time will be. Love people more than objects. Give more than you take. Help others with every chance you can get and you will not only find happiness, but peace and gratefulness.

Realize there are people out there that don’t have what you have or want what you have.

In life, you will either be rich with people or rich with money-- it’s all about perception. You can be rich in spirit and heart but poor, mentally. Or you can be rich in all and poor in none. However you look at your life situation, if you don’t like something, never be afraid to change it. Life is a journey and changes every day. Learn to be grateful and appreciated for everything and everyone you have and for what everyone has done for you and you will find peace and utmost joy.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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How to Become More Grateful

Learn to Appreciate More in Life

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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