grateful essay 500 words

Gratitude Essay

500 words essay on gratitude.

Gratitude is a beautiful way of enriching our lives. It refers to the feeling and attitude of appreciation and thankfulness for the good which we receive in life. It has been proven scientifically that when we express our gratefulness to other people, we feel happier and calmer. Thus, it allows goodness to enter our lives. For instance, when a stranger holds the door for you or greets you, it makes you feel happy. Thus, a gratitude essay will teach us how advantageous gratitude is.

Advantages of Gratitude

Gratitude can have a lot of advantages to our personal as well as social life. First of all, it strengthens our relationship with others. When you have a thankful feeling, it will strengthen the bond with the other party and enhance the trust factor and feeling of respect and love .

Moreover, it also makes us happy. When we express gratitude or receive it, we feel happy either way. As a result, people who have gratitude do not stress out a lot. Similarly, being full of gratitude makes society sensible.

In other words, people become considerate and never leave a chance to say thank you to others. Thus, it helps society to progress in the right direction with the right tools needed for the development of it.

Most importantly, gratitude reduces comparisons and promotes acknowledgement. When we become thankful, we do not compare ourselves to others. Thus, it helps us acknowledge our own achievements and blessings and remain content.

How to Practice Gratitude

There are a lot of ways through which we can practice gratitude. Some of the most effective ones include making a note of every good thing which happens to us every day. Moreover, also note the people behind it.

This will help you to return the favour at an appropriate time. Never forget to return this favour as they deserve it too. Moreover, always make sure to appreciate everything in life ranging from nature to animals .

We are lucky enough to have animals, green plants, fresh air and much more. Thus, never stop acknowledging the importance of these essential things. Moreover, always remember to say thank you to different community helpers.

It can be anyone, whether your gardener or sweeper or even the police officers. Make sure you thank them for their service whenever it is possible for you. Remember that to wake up every day is no less than a blessing itself.

So, make sure to be grateful for a new day and thank the almighty for making you wiser and stronger with each passing day. Most importantly, try to avoid complaining about things when they don’t go your way. You don’t know about the blessing behind it.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Conclusion of Gratitude Essay

All in all, gratitude is the most essential human expression which proves that humans are sensible and have emotions. Moreover, this emotion does not just limit to humans but also animals. Often, we see then express their gratitude and return the favour. Thus, we must always express our gratitude.

FAQ of Gratitude Essay

Question 1: Why is gratitude important?

Answer 1: Gratitude is strongly and constantly connected with greater happiness. It is what helps people feel more positive emotions, appreciate good experiences, advance their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.

Question 2: How can gratitude change your life?

Answer 2: Gratitude can change your life as it makes you appreciate what you have rather than what you don’t have. It can change your life  because it is the single most powerful source of inspiration that any individual can tap into if they simply stop and pay attention to the simplistic beauty and miracle of life.

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Gratitude Essay

500+ words essay on be grateful.

During difficult times, it’s easy to feel frustrated or drained by life. Negative feelings and thoughts can creep in, which can make it difficult to see the positive things in life. However, one simple practice of gratitude can help to eliminate these feelings. We take a look at the importance of being grateful through this being grateful essay. Students can also use this essay to practise more essays on similar topics like gratitude, being grateful, being grateful etc. Doing so will improve their writing section and increase their scores in the English exam.

What is Gratitude?

The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness. The word gratitude encompasses all of these meanings. Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation or thanks. It is defined as “a sense of thankfulness and joy in response to receiving a gift, whether the gift is a tangible benefit from a specific other or a moment of peaceful bliss evoked by natural beauty”. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives.

There are different ways of expressing one’s thanks. Gratitude is one such emotion. People feel and express gratitude in multiple ways. Some of them apply it to the past by retrieving positive memories and being thankful for elements of childhood or past blessings. Some people are grateful for the present as they do not take good fortune for granted. Some people show gratitude for the future as they hope for a better future and maintain an optimistic attitude.

Importance of Gratitude

Gratitude enhances the quality of life and makes existence more worth living. It opens the human heart and carries the urge to give back-to do something good in return, either for the person who helped us or for someone else. It establishes social harmony and creates an environment where everyone is appreciating and providing support to each other. It also improves the quality of personal lives and strengthens the bond with family and friends. Expressing gratitude keeps us happy, healthy and stress-free.

Feeling grateful reminds people of a joyous event, and expressing gratitude to others often strengthens relationships. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. When we are grateful for others, we do not compare ourselves with others based on their financial situation or other factors, we simply appreciate their achievements. Thus, it helps in elevating the feeling of comparison, jealousy and hate. Being grateful also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals — whether to other people, nature, or supreme power.

How to Practise Gratitude

Everyone can benefit from making an effort to practise gratitude in day-to-day life. It can be achieved simply by paying attention to the good things that happen to us. We must appreciate and accept the importance of everything in nature and our surroundings. Also, we should not forget to return the favour at an appropriate time. Whenever possible, we should thank the people around us, who make our lives comfortable, such as washermen, gardeners, security guards, sweepers, delivery men, etc. We should make a habit of thanking God when we wake up in the morning and before sleeping at night.

Gratitude is the best way to return the favour to God, nature, society, friends and relatives for the thousands of good deeds that they do for us.

We hope students must have found this “Essay on Gratitude” useful for their studies. To access more study material and get the latest updates on CBSE/ICSE/State Board/Competitive exams, keep visiting BYJU’S. Also, download the BYJU’S App for interactive study videos.

Frequently asked Questions on Gratitude Essay

How to show gratitude towards others.

You can show gratitude by thanking people who help you and being courteous and friendly. You can iInvite people over for lunch/dinner to thank them for something they did for you. Always listen intently to what others are saying to show appreciation and care.

Why is showing gratitude so important?

Psychologists show that there is a positive impact on the brain and body of people who show gratitude.

What are the benefits of showing gratitude?

Showing gratitude helps in emotional regulation by reducing stress and burnout. It also increases your mental resilience because you are able to build meaningful relations with others.

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Essay on Gratitude

Gratitude is the feeling that compels you to return a favour and express gratefulness. It could arise for anyone – God, society, persons, animals, etc. In the essays below we will cover various topics on gratitude to help you understand the subject deeply.

Short and Long Essays on Gratitude in English

You can select anyone of the essays given below as per your requirement.

Gratitude Essay 10 Lines (100 – 150 Words)

1) When people help us, the return thankful feeling for them is called gratitude.

2) “Gratus” is the root origin of the word gratitude which means thankful.

3) Gratitude helps in maintaining a good relationship.

4) Accepting and giving gratitude both make people happy.

5) Gratitude can be shown to family, friends, instructors, nature, animals, or God.

6) Gratitude encourages the helping nature in society.

7) Gratitude creates peace, unity, and harmony in society.

8) Gratitude helps us to remain happy by improving our quality of living.

9) Helping is a positive quality of humans that needs to be appreciated through gratitude.

10) Humans should always be grateful for life, resources, and help.

Essay on Gratitude 1 (250 Words) – Meaning and Importance of Gratitude

Introduction

We all hear the word ‘gratitude’ too often in normal conversations or while reading a book, etc. In this essay, we will discuss the definition of gratitude and its importance.

What is Gratitude

In a lay man’s term, gratitude is the quality of expressing gratefulness to someone for an act of kindness or help. It is the same quality that lets you remember the kindness someone has shown for you and urges you to return the favour.

If you feel an urge to help back someone who has helped you; this feeling or longing is nothing but gratitude. It is only gratitude that compels you to say thank you or send a thank you note to your teacher.

Gratitude can be expressed to living beings as well as to God and nature. We can express our gratitude to the nature for providing us so many essential things – water, air, food, etc.

Importance of Gratitude

Gratitude is a very important quality that improves the quality of life, making the existence more sensible. It establishes social harmony and induces an environment where everyone is appreciating each other and providing support.

It also improves the quality of our personal lives and strengthens our bonds with family and friends. In a family where everyone is grateful to everyone, has a deep emotional attachment.

Gratitude is the best way to return the favor to society, nature, God, friends, relatives, and relatives for thousands of good things all of them have done to us.

Essay on Gratitude 2 (400 Words) – Advantages of Gratitude and How to Practice It

Gratitude is the feeling to be grateful for an act of kindness done onto you by someone. Being grateful also means that you should be willing to return the favour in whatever way possible. In the essay below we will go through some of the benefits of gratitude and the ways to practice it.

Advantages of Gratitude

Gratitude has several benefits on your personal as well as social life. I have listed below some of the important benefits of gratitude for your knowledge :

1) Strengthens Relationship

Gratitude strengthens your relationship with others. Being thankful is a wonderful feeling and an experience that strengthens the bonds between both the parties. It improves the trust factor and the feeling of being respected and acknowledged.

2) Makes You Happy

The quality of gratitude also makes you feel happy. When you express gratitude or receive it from someone, in both cases you feel happy for doing something good or for something good that has been done to you. Persons with gratitude are known to have reduced stress.

3) Makes the Society Sensible

A society that expresses gratitude for each other is the happiest and sensible society. People are considerate and never leave a chance to be thankful for others. A sensible society is bound to make progress in the right way.

4) Reduces Comparisons and Promote Acknowledgement

When you are thankful for others you don’t compare them on the basis of their financial status or other factors. You are just thankful to everyone and appreciate their achievements.

How to Practice Gratitude

There are some effective ways to practice gratitude that I will list below-

• Make note of every good thing that happens to you every day and who was responsible for it.
• Plan to return the favour at an appropriate time.
• Appreciate everything – nature, animals, and plants around us and acknowledge their importance.
• Say thanks to various community helpers – washerman, gardener, policeman, sweepers, etc, whenever possible.
• While waking up every day, thank God for such a beautiful day.
• Thank God again for all the day’s ordeals that have made you wiser and stronger.
• Refrain from complaining about something or someone.

Gratitude is a wonderful and the most beautiful feeling that strengthens human psychology and society as well. A society where everyone is grateful is the happiest and the loveliest of all.

Essay on Gratitude 3 (500 – 600 Words) – Types of Gratitude and Their Use

Gratitude is that quality in you that lets you be thankful to someone for help. Showing gratitude means showing appreciation to the person who has helped you and be kind in return. It is a very important quality of humans and is essential when it comes to social recognition and harmony.

Types of Gratitude

There could be different types of gratitude depending on to whom it is expressed and for what; however, the basic feeling behind gratitude is the same in most cases and it is to be thankful.  Below I have mentioned some types of gratitude to the best of my understanding.

1) Gratitude Expressed to a Person

This is the gratitude that you express in your everyday interaction with others. We do a number of activities every day and interact with several people – colleagues, co-passengers, community helpers, etc. We interact with several parsons in a day and sometimes couldn’t even recall the nature of it. Many persons might be doing a simple act of kindness on us for which we should be thankful.

You should be thankful to that co-passenger of yours who shifted his/her seat so that you don’t have to travel standing or that vegetable vendor who just gave you extra vegetable; or a colleague who helped you in a critical meeting. These all are examples of simple acts of kindness that we should be grateful for. A simple thank you in return will do but what is more important is that you should remember their kindness and spread it.

2) Gratitude to the Almighty

This type of gratitude is expressed to God for all the good things happening in your life and the abundance of life providing elements around you. We should be thankful to the almighty for everything he has given us – food, water, air, soil, mountains, flowers, animals, waterfalls, clouds, etc the list could go on and on.

The point is that we should be thankful to God for giving us such a beautiful planet that abounds in food and beauty. We can express our gratitude to God by thanking him with folded hands before every meal or trying not to damage the beautiful earth or to harm any of the creatures that the almighty has created for us. We need to understand that the more we will be grateful to nature and God, the more they will shower us with abundance.

3) Gratitude to Family and Friends

This kind of gratitude is expressed to the closest people around you – family, friends, etc. They play an essential role in your life by giving love and support. It wouldn’t be able to go through the ups and downs of life, without the support of your family and friends. We should always keep this in mind and be grateful to our close ones.

Though they might not help us every day, they sure help us at times when we need help the most. We must always keep this in mind and be willing to return the gratitude when time demands. Sometimes, our physical presence and guidance, suggestions, etc might just be enough to return the favor. Being grateful to family and friends is an act that strengthens not only your personal relationship but also results in a happy and content society.

Gratitude is the most important human expression that proves that humans are sensible and have emotions. Not only humans but sometimes animals are also seen as expressing gratitude and returning a favor, which is as beautiful as it is surprising. We must always express gratitude whenever required and must also return the gesture whenever the opportunity arises.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Ans . Gratitude is the value that makes us feel thankful to others for their help.

Ans . Gratitude is a unique quality because it fills us with positivity and makes us happy.

Ans . We can express our gratitude to thank god and nature for providing us everything we need.

Ans . Gratitude is a powerful quality as it helps in strengthening the bond of relationships.

Ans . Gratitude has the power to turn every refusal to approval and therefore is a secret of happiness.

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Essays About Gratitude: Top 5 Examples and 7 Writing Prompts

Writing essays about gratitude is a way to show appreciation and recognize kindness. See our top examples and prompts you can use as a guide for your essay.

I’m not outspoken, and everyone close to me knows this. However, this one time, a family friend visited us and gave me a set of paintbrushes for my birthday. I thanked them, but that didn’t feel enough as they went out of their way to pick high-quality brushes and deliver them in person, even if we weren’t close. That kind lady wanted me to pursue my interest in painting, and I have felt grateful to her ever since. 

For those like me who can’t fully express gratitude through words, it becomes an intimidating task to even write about it. After all, essays about gratitude require finesse and sincerity that are hard to prove through pen and paper.

5 Essay Examples

1. the expression of gratitude by writer rosalyn, 2. a good life is a gratitude, meaning, and love by anonymous on ivypanda.com, 3. the magical power of gratitude and saying ‘thank you’ by anonymous on gradesfixer.com, 4. essay on gratitude by anonymous on toppr.com  , 5. meaning and importance of gratitude by anonymous on mystudentsessay.com, 1. the true meaning of gratitude, 2. expressing gratitude, 3. the benefits of practicing gratitude, 4. culture and gratitude expression, 5. values and gratitude, 6. the boundaries of gratitude, 7. practicing gratitude: a day in my life.

“… Participants who expressed gratitude in a close relationship would have greater relationship satisfaction than those who did not express gratitude.”

The essay contains a compilation of information from various studies to discuss the effect of expressing gratitude verbally. Rosalyn discovers that the rate of relationship satisfaction increases after expressing gratitude and leads to lasting relationships and reduced divorce rates. 

Rosalyn notes how expressions of gratitude act as positive reinforcement, encouraging the recipient to be more inclined to agree to do favors. For instance, many sellers include gifts and discounts with purchases to express gratitude and cultivate repeat buyers.

“… A good life is a complex term with different meanings, but all the interpretations have a particular point in common – well-being is associated with gratitude, meaning, and love.”

The author defines the “good life” as spiritual contentment and shares their opinion and experiences as a clinical mental health counselor. They remark that gratefulness can signify healthy well-being since it means an individual is intent on what they have instead of what they don’t. Further, people filled with gratitude can find meaning in life in time and with practice. 

The counselor also mentions the importance of having someone who truly loves and cares for us to remind us to be grateful even in the darkest times of our lives. In conclusion, the writer reiterates that it’s complicated to define what a good life entails, but all definitions directly connect to gratitude, meaning, and love.

“I discovered a secret about life, and as a result of my discovery, one of the things I began to do was practice gratitude each day, to say “thank you!” more. As a result of this, everything in my life changed, and the more I practiced gratitude, the more miraculous were the result.”

To demonstrate the positive benefits of feeling and expressing gratitude, the author narrates their experiences in this short essay. They talk about their financial, relationship, and health problems and how they were all resolved when they started to be grateful. The writer considers this magical, but a change in their perception helped them overcome their problems.

“… Gratitude is the most essential human expression which proves that humans are sensible and have emotions. Moreover, this emotion does not just limit to humans but also animals. Often, we see them express their gratitude and return the favour.”

In this essay, the author identifies gratitude as a beautiful way of enriching our existence. It’s a vital skill that every person should learn and practice to invite goodness and get various benefits, such as stronger relationships and a happier outlook. The writer believes it’s crucial to always express gratitude to inspire others and remember that humans are emotional beings.

“Gratitude leads to feelings of happiness and satisfaction as it increases awareness that others have done something nice for you. As a result, gratitude and happiness become mutually reinforcing and build upon each other. Science shows that gratitude is a particular emotion, since it consists of a feeling of appreciation that does not require specific objects or actions which instigate it.”

This essay focuses on the importance and benefits of practicing gratitude which the author refers to as “the greatest gift to humanity.” Gratitude is vital as it helps us recognize positive and negative things to assist us in finding meaning and purpose in life. The author states that practicing mindfulness and meditation brings about gratitude that will improve various aspects of one’s life.

7 Prompts for Essays About Gratitude

Gratitude is one of the most salient topics to write about and discuss. It’s a positive emotion we feel whenever we receive something that demonstrates the giver’s sincerity. Use this prompt to discuss the meaning of gratitude with your readers in two ways. First, explain its definition according to dictionaries and experts. Then use your personal experiences to illustrate what gratitude means to you.

“Thank you!” is a simple but effective phrase to express appreciation to those who try to improve your day. For this prompt, list more ways to express gratitude through verbal communication or actions. Add tips on showing gratitude while considering important factors such as the event or context, relationship to the recipient, and suitability of the method.

Focus your essay on the advantages one can get from practicing gratitude; use this prompt to encourage your readers to acknowledge the good things happening to them. Provide relevant research and examples that show the benefits of demonstrating gratitude.

For help with this topic, read our guide explaining what is persuasive writing .

The environment an individual grows up in plays a big part in how they express gratitude. Explore different cultures worldwide and discuss how beliefs, religion, and culture can affect how groups display gratefulness. Show your reader’s how different cultures communicate gratitude, including the common reasons they do so. Then, share how you were taught to convey gratitude in your culture.

Exercising gratitude trains us to establish positive values such as enthusiasm and optimism. Use this prompt to identify and discuss the values ​​one can gain from learning about gratitude. Discuss the values you developed while practicing gratitude to make your essay relatable. You might also be interested in these essays about overcoming challenges .

Although gratitude is one of the most positive emotions we can experience, it should still be practiced within healthy boundaries. Such limitations should be applied when a person develops extreme beliefs involving gratitude. An example is over-optimism, where an individual becomes unrealistically optimistic to the point that they ignore the existence of their problems. In your essay, discuss how to practice gratitude in a way that positively influences your life.

In this essay, reflect on a typical day in your life and highlight the parts that make you feel thankful. This prompt will help you appreciate the trivial things in your life and teach your readers how to treasure even the minor things in their lives. For example, having the opportunity to wake up and live another day already deserves your gratitude. Discuss all the things that you are grateful for in this heartfelt essay.

Take your essay to the next level with the best essay checkers .

Maria Caballero is a freelance writer who has been writing since high school. She believes that to be a writer doesn't only refer to excellent syntax and semantics but also knowing how to weave words together to communicate to any reader effectively.

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Gratitude Essay Examples

An essay on gratitude can be an excellent opportunity to reflect on the things in life that we often take for granted. It’s a chance to acknowledge the people, experiences, and things that have made a positive impact on our lives. If you’re struggling to get started, here are some gratitude essay examples and tips to help you craft a perfect essay on gratitude.

One way to approach an essay on gratitude is to reflect on specific instances where you’ve experienced gratitude in your life. For example, you might write about a time when someone went out of their way to help you or when you received unexpected kindness from a stranger. These examples can help you illustrate the power of gratitude in our lives and show how it can change our perspective on the world.

Another approach is to write about the benefits of gratitude. Research has shown that practicing gratitude can improve mental health, boost happiness, and even enhance physical health. You can explore these benefits in your essay and provide examples of how you’ve experienced them in your own life.

If you’re a college student, consider writing a gratitude college essay. In this essay, you can reflect on how college has shaped you and the opportunities it has provided. You might write about a professor who inspired you or a project that challenged you in new ways. By expressing gratitude for your college experience, you’ll be able to showcase your growth and appreciation for the opportunities you’ve had.

Overall, an essay on gratitude can be a powerful tool for personal growth and reflection. By exploring gratitude in your life, you’ll be able to recognize the good things that are often overlooked and find ways to cultivate more gratitude in your daily life. Use the gratitude essay examples and tips above to craft a perfect essay on gratitude and let your gratitude shine through your words.

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1. The Power Of Gratitude In Our Lives

2. Being Thankful And Expressing Gratitude

3. Gratitude: Knowledge of Giving Thanks in Life

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5. Thank You Day: Remembering the Feeling of Gratitude

6. How Can the Virtue of Gratitude Enchanse Your Career Growth

7. What Practicing Gratitude Taught Me

8. How the Power of Gratitude Can Change Your Life

9. Living with Gratitude: Opening the Door for Self-Improvement

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Essay on Joy is the Simplest Form of Gratitude [500+ Words]

December 20, 2020 by Sandeep

Joy is the Simplest Form of Gratitude Essay: The most blissful form of expression displaying happiness, solitude and satisfaction is defined as ‘joy’. Gratitude is the ultimate quality of humans that appreciates and exhibits thankfulness for the person who helped. Our selfishness, ego, bitterness, immaturity and selfishness avoid joy from being expressed as gratitude. We should find joy in the simplest things and be grateful to God for all that he has given us.

Essay on Joy is the Simplest Form of Gratitude

Haven’t we all admired the nature around us, the beauty of the greens on a nature spot, the beautiful flowers on a spring evening and a quietly flowing river through its path? These are the various gifts we have received from mother nature and they make our life beautiful on Earth. Yet, how many of us realise that they are there for a purpose, they serve in more than one ways to living things on earth and make our lives meaningful each day. In the busy lives we lead, we almost forget to realise this beautiful thing and lead almost selfish lives where ‘I, me, myself’ becomes the centre of our thinking.

The meaning of ‘Joy’

The tree experiences a lot of ‘joy’ in providing shelter to a whole lot of living things on earth. It doesn’t matter if man fells trees on land and uses them to serve his commercial purposes. The idea behind the tree serving its own purpose is the ‘joy’ it gets from being helpful to co-inhabitants on the planet. If the tree ever happened to withdraw its branches or rejected providing shelter to anyone, that would be a miserable state, hard to imagine. So basically ‘joy’ is a feeling, resulting in inner happiness, leading to a meaningful purpose and serving that purpose beyond selfish boundaries.

The beauty of ‘Gratitude’

If we talk about the tree again, man doesn’t realise how much necessary it was for him to thank the tree that gave him shelter, provided fruits and gave fresh oxygen to breathe. If he did realise the importance of that tree and thanked it for all the multipurpose necessities, he would certainly be grateful to the tree. Instead, we rather take things for granted and do not realise the actual value of an entity and how it served a whole lot of goodness to us.

We cut trees, we break its branches, we convert them into ornamental structures, etc, but we don’t thank the tree for having provided us an opportunity to do so. If man indeed loved and nurtured the tree and the purpose it served, then his inner beauty would have transformed into what is called ‘gratitude’ or simply put ‘being thankful in a kind way’.

Difference between ‘giving back’ and ‘paying back.’

Man, by nature is interdependent in his daily life. We get up in the morning and right from there, we depend on our family members to help us out in our various tasks and this continues till the end of the day is reached. Suppose we hire an auto to work and the auto driver takes you to your office on a certain day, we pay him the auto charge and end our journey with him at that point. This whole journey is more of a business transaction, where we paid dutifully for his services. But there is something lacking in it. Though the auto driver discharged his duty, he is also a human being co-existing with us. We can actually make a slight difference in this whole journey by adding two more ingredients.

We can supplement the auto charge we paid with a thank you and wish him a great day ahead with a beautiful smile. This added gesture now becomes ‘gratitude’ instead of it remaining a mere ‘transaction’. So, the difference is clear. Where we appreciate the people around us, where we thank people for what they do to us every day, where we shower people with love and kindness for all the support they provide, there exists a natural bonding or feeling of ‘gratitude’. This gratitude is experienced in the form of happiness, which is manifested with a feeling of satisfaction, ending up in seamless and abundant ‘joy’.

When we ‘give back’ a received item to a certain person by attaching a thankful message to them, we show our gratitude to them. We create ‘joy’ in their minds. In short, the joy experienced becomes a very powerful expression derived out of the other person’s gratitude. When we ‘pay back’ for a service rendered from a certain professional and leave with being grateful for it, it is more of a business process, adhering only to the policies laid out by the business.

Happiness counts

Patents nurtures their children right from the time a child is born till he becomes an adult and actually continues to do it all their lifetime. But when children need to look after their parents in their old age, many of them push them forcefully into old-age homes, depriving them of their love and happiness. Children forget to be grateful to their parents when it is their turn to take care of their aged parents. If we are wondering why this is increasingly becoming a common sight, it’s simply because children are not showing their gratitude to their parents.

They are failing to experience the joy of living with their parents in their later years and strengthening a holy bond with them. We have damaged mother earth to an unimaginable extent and have exhausted many natural resources and rendered many beautiful species extinct. The question is, why did man forget to show his gratitude to his supplier when he got so much more than what he asked, for his beautiful living. The answer is, man forgot to give back to the person who provided him with much more than what he asked. In aiming and reaching his selfish pursuits, he forgot the basic laws of nature and hence his life also became worthless in the process.

We all lead stressful lives, where every minute and every second counts and nobody has time for free. Yet, when so much is done with so much precision, why is it that we fail so many times. Why is it that we tend to fall out of balance in our pursuits? It is clearly an indication that man is not enjoying or rather has not learnt to enjoy the results he has earned for himself. If we bring a flowering plant and place it at a corner of our house just admiring the flowers every morning, we are only experiencing the outer beauty of the flower.

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Being Thankful for My Life

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Published: Mar 5, 2024

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Being Thankful For My Life

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Essay on Gratitude (it brings happiness in life)

Essay on Gratitude

Gratitude is an essential virtue, and it makes people happier. Yet what does gratitude mean? What does it look like? In this essay, I will explore the power of gratitude and how you can cultivate it in your life.

1) What is gratitude?

Gratitude is defined as the quality of being thankful. Gratitude helps with healing past wounds, developing empathy, and keeping a positive outlook on life.

This is because gratitude emphasizes the good in life and fosters an appreciation for what you have. It can also decrease feelings of depression, stress, and anger.

Gratitude also leads to greater personal growth by helping you see your flaws with more clarity. It can even lead to success!

It is a feeling of appreciation, and it can make your life more joyful. It’s about looking for the good in your life rather than focusing on the negative.

It can even be a powerful antidote to stress and depression. You don’t need any special skills to practice gratitude, but you do need to remember these five steps:

• Notice what you’re grateful for
• Think about how it makes you feel
• Express gratitude verbally and mentally
• Practice giving back

2) The benefits of gratitude

When you practice gratitude, you can experience increased self-esteem and resilience. For example, people who are in the habit of expressing gratitude have been shown to have more optimism and can think more optimistically.

Gratitude can improve your physical health because it helps you cope with stress. Studies have shown that gratitude improves your immune system, decreases blood pressure, and boosts happiness levels. You may even be able to live longer just by being grateful!

The positive effects of gratitude can be experienced both psychologically and physiologically. With a grateful mindset, you’ll feel more positive about yourself and life in general. You’ll have increased energy levels, improved sleep, and a stronger immune system.

3) How to practice gratitude in your life

Let’s break down each component of practicing gratitude:

• Observing: “Where I am right now is where I am meant to be.”
• Identifying: “I see that I am now in my body and my body is here for me to learn from.”
• Receiving: “I am taking care of my body with nourishment, exercise and rest.”
• Expressing: “I am learning from this experience and sharing it with others.”
• Practicing: “I am grateful for the opportunity to enjoy my life.”

4) Gratitude makes you happy

Gratitude is an action, not a feeling, and there are scientific studies that prove it. Researchers at the University of California recently found that people who report higher levels of gratitude report feeling happier than those who don’t.

When researchers asked participants to recall some of their happiest memories, those who had more positive memories were more likely to say they felt happy than those who had sad ones.

The benefits of gratitude don’t end there. Regular practice can lead to better relationships and a more positive outlook on life. In a recent poll of more than 3,000 Americans, happiness expert Adam Grant found that many of the people who said they were the happiest had what you might think are positive traits—for example, they were more helpful and forgiving.

5) Practicing gratitude in your work

I believe that some of the best jobs that people can have are teaching others about gratitude and encouraging others to look for the good in their lives.

They can do so by teaching an ethics-based curriculum to teach students how to find the good in their lives.

These teachers do so by focusing on the fact that life has more to offer than bad or unhappiness, and by focusing on what’s good in their lives and how to be grateful for it.

6) Ways To Show Gratitude

You don’t need a lot of money, time, or effort to make your life happier and healthier. Here are different easy ways to start practicing gratitude.

• Notice the good: Let’s start with the easiest place to start — noticing the good things that happen in your life. This is a very simple exercise and it will take less than five minutes a day to notice things. As you do this, you may discover something positive about every day and this will remind you how lucky you are.
• Think about how it makes you feel: Next, stop thinking about how you feel when you observe your blessings. You’ll be practicing gratitude and if you’re thinking about how you feel, you won’t be aware of your blessings.

7) Conclusion

Gratitude is not just feeling happy or lucky to have received something; it’s appreciation and acknowledgment of what you have been given.

Gratitude is a quality that most people see as a positive attribute, but it’s not always easy to live by. Sometimes we can be too embarrassed or shy to share our gratitude with others, or we don’t know how to put into words what we’re grateful for.

It’s important to constantly practice gratitude because it’s a skill we all need to develop if we want to truly be happy in our lives.

Keeping a gratitude journal is a great way to practice gratitude, and if you have an electronic device with a camera, you can take a picture of a leaf and put it in your journal to count your blessings.

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Essay Curve

Essay on Gratitude – Examples, 10 Lines to 1200 Words

Essay on Gratitude: Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can transform our lives in profound ways. In this essay, we will explore the importance of practicing gratitude on a daily basis and how it can improve our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. From boosting our mood and enhancing our relationships to increasing our resilience and overall happiness, gratitude has the ability to shift our perspective and help us appreciate the abundance in our lives. Join me as we delve into the transformative power of gratitude.

Gratitude Essay Writing Tips

1. Start by defining gratitude and its importance in daily life. Gratitude is the quality of being thankful and showing appreciation for the good things in life. It is a powerful emotion that can improve mental health, relationships, and overall well-being.

2. Share personal experiences or examples of moments when you felt grateful. This could be a simple act of kindness from a stranger, a supportive friend during a difficult time, or a beautiful sunset that brought you joy. These examples can help illustrate the impact of gratitude in your own life.

3. Discuss the benefits of practicing gratitude regularly. Research has shown that expressing gratitude can lead to increased happiness, improved physical health, stronger relationships, and reduced stress. By focusing on the positive aspects of life, you can cultivate a more optimistic outlook and attract more positivity into your life.

4. Explore different ways to cultivate gratitude in your daily routine. This could include keeping a gratitude journal, writing thank-you notes, practicing mindfulness and meditation, or simply taking a moment to appreciate the small joys in life. By incorporating these practices into your life, you can train your mind to focus on the good and develop a more grateful attitude.

5. Address any challenges or obstacles that may prevent you from feeling grateful. It’s important to acknowledge that life is not always perfect and there will be times when it’s difficult to find things to be thankful for. However, even in the midst of challenges, there are still opportunities to practice gratitude and find moments of joy.

6. Reflect on the impact of gratitude on your relationships with others. Expressing gratitude towards loved ones can strengthen bonds and create a sense of connection and appreciation. By showing gratitude towards others, you can also inspire them to cultivate a more positive and grateful mindset.

7. Conclude your essay by emphasizing the importance of gratitude in leading a fulfilling and meaningful life. Gratitude is a powerful tool that can help you navigate life’s ups and downs with grace and resilience. By practicing gratitude regularly, you can cultivate a more positive and optimistic outlook, leading to greater happiness and well-being.

Essay on Gratitude in 10 Lines – Examples

1. Gratitude is the quality of being thankful and showing appreciation for the good things in life. 2. It helps us focus on the positive aspects of our lives and fosters a sense of contentment and happiness. 3. Practicing gratitude can improve our mental and emotional well-being by reducing stress and anxiety. 4. It strengthens relationships by fostering a sense of connection and mutual appreciation. 5. Gratitude encourages us to see the good in others and acknowledge their contributions to our lives. 6. It can help us overcome challenges and setbacks by shifting our perspective to focus on what we have rather than what we lack. 7. Gratitude promotes a sense of abundance and fulfillment, leading to a more positive outlook on life. 8. It encourages us to pay it forward and spread kindness and generosity to others. 9. Gratitude can improve our physical health by reducing inflammation and boosting our immune system. 10. Overall, cultivating a mindset of gratitude can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

Sample Essay on Gratitude in 100-180 Words

Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can have a profound impact on our lives. When we practice gratitude, we are acknowledging the good things in our lives and expressing appreciation for them. This simple act can help us shift our focus from what we lack to what we have, leading to increased feelings of happiness and contentment.

Gratitude also has the power to strengthen relationships and build connections with others. When we express gratitude towards someone, we are showing them that we value and appreciate them, which can deepen our bond with them.

In addition, practicing gratitude can improve our mental and emotional well-being. Research has shown that people who regularly practice gratitude experience lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.

Overall, gratitude is a powerful tool that can help us lead happier, more fulfilling lives. By taking the time to acknowledge and appreciate the good things in our lives, we can cultivate a positive mindset and create a ripple effect of positivity in our relationships and communities.

Short Essay on Gratitude in 200-500 Words

Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can have a profound impact on our lives. It is the act of being thankful and appreciative for the good things in our lives, both big and small. When we practice gratitude, we are able to shift our focus from what we lack to what we have, leading to increased happiness and overall well-being.

One of the key benefits of gratitude is its ability to improve our mental health. When we take the time to acknowledge and appreciate the positive aspects of our lives, we are able to reframe our thoughts and see things from a more positive perspective. This can help to reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression, and improve our overall mental well-being. Research has shown that practicing gratitude can lead to increased levels of happiness, optimism, and life satisfaction.

Gratitude also has a positive impact on our physical health. Studies have found that people who regularly practice gratitude have lower levels of inflammation, improved heart health, and stronger immune systems. This is because gratitude can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation, which in turn can have a positive effect on our physical health. By focusing on the good things in our lives, we are able to cultivate a sense of peace and contentment that can benefit our overall health and well-being.

In addition to its mental and physical health benefits, gratitude can also improve our relationships with others. When we express gratitude towards others, we are able to strengthen our connections and build trust and rapport. Gratitude can help to foster a sense of appreciation and mutual respect, leading to more positive and fulfilling relationships. By showing gratitude towards others, we can create a cycle of positivity and kindness that can have a ripple effect on those around us.

Practicing gratitude is a simple yet powerful way to cultivate a more positive and fulfilling life. There are many ways to incorporate gratitude into our daily routine, such as keeping a gratitude journal, expressing thanks to others, or simply taking a moment to reflect on the good things in our lives. By making gratitude a regular practice, we can experience the many benefits it has to offer and cultivate a greater sense of happiness, well-being, and fulfillment.

Essay on Gratitude in 1000-1500 Words

Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can have a profound impact on our lives. It is the feeling of being thankful and appreciative for the blessings and positive aspects of our lives. When we practice gratitude, we are able to shift our focus from what we lack to what we have, which can lead to greater happiness, fulfillment, and overall well-being.

Gratitude is often overlooked in today’s fast-paced and materialistic society. We are constantly bombarded with messages that tell us we need more in order to be happy and successful. This mindset can lead to feelings of discontent and dissatisfaction, as we are always striving for the next big thing without taking the time to appreciate what we already have.

However, research has shown that practicing gratitude can have a multitude of benefits for our mental, emotional, and physical health. Studies have found that individuals who regularly practice gratitude experience lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. They also have stronger immune systems, better sleep quality, and improved relationships with others.

One of the reasons why gratitude is so powerful is that it helps us to shift our perspective from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance. When we focus on what we are grateful for, we are able to see the positive aspects of our lives more clearly and appreciate the abundance that surrounds us. This can help us to feel more content and satisfied with what we have, rather than constantly striving for more.

Gratitude also has the power to improve our relationships with others. When we express gratitude towards others, whether through a simple thank you or a heartfelt gesture, we are able to strengthen our connections and foster a sense of mutual appreciation. This can lead to greater trust, understanding, and empathy in our relationships, as we are able to recognize and value the contributions of others.

In addition, gratitude can help us to cultivate a more positive outlook on life. When we focus on the things we are grateful for, we are able to see the good in every situation, even in the face of challenges and adversity. This can help us to develop resilience and optimism, as we are able to find silver linings and opportunities for growth in difficult circumstances.

Practicing gratitude can be as simple as keeping a gratitude journal, where we write down three things we are thankful for each day. This can help us to cultivate a habit of gratitude and train our minds to focus on the positive aspects of our lives. We can also express gratitude through acts of kindness, such as volunteering or helping others in need, which can not only benefit those we are helping but also bring us a sense of fulfillment and purpose.

In conclusion, gratitude is a powerful emotion that can have a profound impact on our lives. By practicing gratitude, we are able to shift our focus from what we lack to what we have, leading to greater happiness, fulfillment, and overall well-being. Gratitude can help us to cultivate a mindset of abundance, improve our relationships with others, and develop a more positive outlook on life. It is a simple yet transformative practice that can bring joy and contentment into our lives. So let us take a moment each day to pause, reflect, and express gratitude for the blessings and positive aspects of our lives.

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Common Application Essay Option 4—Gratitude

Tips and Strategies for the 2021-22 Common App

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One major change to the Common Application in the 2021-22 admissions cycle is the addition of a new essay prompt. Option #4 now reads, "Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?"

This new prompt replaces the earlier question about solving a problem : "Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma--anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution." Keep in mind that colleges and universities still want to learn about students interested in solving significant problems, and you still have the "Topic of Your Choice" option if you feel your essay would fit well under the former option #4.

According to Common App , the new prompt serves a couple purposes. First, it replaces a prompt that wasn't very popular among college applicants. More importantly, it gives applicants the opportunity to write about something positive at a difficult time in world history. Rather than write about significant problems, challenges, and anxieties, the new prompt #4 invites you to share something heartfelt and uplifting.

The Importance of Gratitude and Kindness

During the college application process, it's easy and tempting to focus entirely on your personal accomplishments: good grades, challenging AP courses, leadership experiences, athletic ability, musical talent, and so on. Even community service can sometimes come across as focused on your self—hours spent to bolster your application credentials.

Gratitude, however, is a largely selfless feeling. It's about your appreciation for someone else. It's recognizing that your growth and success wouldn't be possible without others. When you express gratitude, you aren't saying "look at me!" Rather, you are appreciating those who have helped you become you.

The folks at Common App have expressed that the new prompt allows students to write about something positive. This is true, but the prompt serves a bigger purpose in the admissions selection process. Highly selective schools end up rejecting thousands of well-qualified applicants, and those decisions will often come down to questions of character rather than GPA and SAT scores.

Think of it this way: when a college is choosing between two students who are academically strong and impressive on the extracurricular front, they will choose the student who seems to be the most kind and generous. Admissions officers are building a campus community with their admissions decisions, and they want to create a community filled with students who appreciate others, build each other up, and recognize the contributions of peers, staff, and professors. They want to admit students who will be kind roommates, collaborative lab partners, and supportive team members.

Chris Peterson, an assistant director of admissions at MIT, wrote a blog post in which he identified three essential qualities for getting into one of the world's most selective schools: do well in school, pursue your passion, and be nice. He notes that this last quality "cannot be overstated." MIT is not a Common Application member, but the point applies perfectly to the value of prompt #4. A winning essay doesn't say "me, me, me!" It shows that you are not only an accomplished person, but also someone who knows how to say "thank you."

Breaking Down the Essay Prompt

Before crafting your essay on prompt #4, it's essential to understand everything that the prompt is asking you to do as well as what it is not asking. The prompt is just 28 words long:

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

The prompt has several important elements to consider.

"Reflect"

The very first word in the prompt is one of the most significant. "Reflect" means much more than "write about" or "describe." When you reflect on something, you look inward and reveal self-awareness. You employ critical thinking skills to explain why something is important. Reflection is an act of self-discovery as you examine what you have learned and why it was meaningful.

Here's a quick example:

Unreflective writing: Coach Strauss always taught the team the value of hard work. We practiced hours every day regardless of the weather. The coach's strategy paid off when we won the state championship. The effort we put in wasn't always enjoyable, but the team's success showed that the path to success requires sacrifices.

Reflective writing: I used to resent those miserable and seemingly endless soccer practices in the rain or even snow. Looking back, I now recognize the value of what Coach Strauss was teaching the team. To succeed, we need to work through small obstacles. We need to persevere even when motivation is hard to find. We need to recognize that we always have room for improvement, and we need to support each other as we work towards that goal. I can now see that her lessons were about much more than soccer, and thanks to her I am not just a better athlete, but a better student, peer, sister, and community member.

The first example describes the writer's soccer experience. Nothing in the passage looks inward to analyze the importance of Coach Strauss to the writer's personal awareness and development. The second passage succeeds on this front—it expresses gratitude for Coach Strauss and the way that her lessons helped the writer grow.

"Something" and "Someone"

A nice feature of the Common Application is that all of the essay prompts are designed to give you a lot of latitude in how you respond. The words "something" and "someone" in the new prompt #4 are deliberately vague. You can write about anyone and anything. Possible choices for the person you focus on include

• A teacher who helped you realize your potential or see the world in a new way.
• A coach who taught you valuable skills.
• A family member whose support, love, or guidance helped you become the person you are today.
• A peer who was always there for you in challenging times.
• A student you mentored or tutored who ended up teaching you something valuable in the process.
• A member of your church or community who had a meaningful and positive impact on your life.

The wording of the prompt implies that the "someone" is a living person, so you'll want to avoid writing about an author, God, a pet, or a historical figure (but feel free to use prompt #7 for these topics).

As you think about the "something" that the person did for you, make sure it is meaningful. It needs to be something that has changed you in a positive way.

"Surprising"

When the prompt states that you should write about something that has made you "happy or thankful in a surprising way," don't get too hung up on that word "surprising." This doesn't mean that you need to be shocked or overwhelmed by whatever it is that a person did for you. Don't think of the term "surprising" as something that made you speechless and caused an adrenalin rush. It does not need to be something earth-shattering or even unusual. Rather, the "surprise" can simply be something that expanded your world view, made you think about something you hadn't considered before, or caused you to appreciate something new. Some of the best essays focus on something small or subtle that changed you in a meaningful way.

"Gratitude"

The essay's focus on "gratitude" and thankfulness means that you absolutely must show appreciation for someone other than yourself. One main purpose of this essay, in fact, is to show that you recognize the contributions that others have made to your personal journey. Be generous. Be kind. Show that you value the people who have made you into the person you are.

"Affected" and "Motivated"

Here's the tricky part. Essay #4 is all about recognizing someone else and showing gratitude for the way in which that person has enriched your life. That said, every college application essay needs to be about you. The admissions folks aren't really interested in learning about someone else. They are interested in learning about the student they are considering for admission.

This means you have a careful balancing act to perform with essay option #4. You need to write about the person who contributed to your life in a meaningful and surprising way, but you also need to be introspective and present why that person was so important to you. What did you learn from the person? How did you grow? How did that person change your world view, strengthen your convictions, help you overcome an obstacle, or give you a new sense of direction?

When you answer questions like these, you are writing about yourself. The true goal of this essay is to show that you are a grateful, kind, thoughtful, introspective, and generous person. The focus isn't so much on the person you are writing about, but your ability to cherish that person.

Avoid These Mistakes

You can write about anyone who was important to you, and your gratitude can be for something large or small as long as it affected you in a meaningful way. There are, however, several mistakes you want to avoid when responding to the prompt:

Don't display ego . Prompt #4 is about acknowledging the important contributions others have made to your life, so a boastful or egotistical tone will be entirely out of place. If at its heart your essay says "Coach Strauss helped make me into the award-winning national champion I am today," you've missed the mark.

Do more than describe . Make sure you "reflect" and explore how the person "affected" and "motivated" you. A winning essay needs to be thoughtful and introspective. If you spend the entire essay describing the person who has made you grateful, the admissions folks won't get to know you better and your essay won't have done its job.

Don't be clever with the "someone." Write about a real living human being who has enriched your life in a direct way. Don't write about yourself, God, Abe Lincoln, or Harry Potter. You also don't want to write about a sports idol or musician—while they may have influenced you, they didn't actually do something specifically "for you."

Attend to the Writing

Never forget that your Common Application serves not just to help the admissions folks get to know you, but also to show that you are a capable writer. No matter what your major is, a significant part of your college GPA is going to stem from writing. Successful college students can write clear, engaging, error-free prose. You'll want to pay careful attention to your essay's style , tone, and mechanics. At a highly selective university with more qualified applicants than can be admitted, the difference between an acceptance and rejection can come down to some glaring grammatical errors in the essay.

If you aren't confident in your writing ability, seek help. Have multiple people read your essay. Get feedback from parents and peers, Even more valuable will probably be feedback from your high school counselor and English teacher, for they have more experience with personal essays.

A Final Note for Common Application Option #4

This essay prompt can be approached is so many different ways, but at its heart, the essay needs to accomplish one thing: it needs to show that you are the type of person the college wants to join their campus community. Make sure you come across as someone who is kind, generous, and thoughtful. Show that you care about good writing by crafting an engaging essay that is free of any significant errors. Finally, don't be afraid to let your personality shine. Don't hold back (within reason) if you are a quirky or humorous person. The essay needs to sound like you.

• The 2021-22 Common Application Essay Prompts
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• Common Application Essay Option 6: Losing Track of Time
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Essays on Gratitude

<span data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">We all feel gratitude sometimes, but how does one define it for purpose of a gratitude essay? Most essays on gratitude explain it as follows: if something turned out to be useful or helpful, we recognize and evaluate it with our positive thoughts, words, or actions. However, this description of gratitude often featured in gratitude essays is rather simplified. Our gratitude essay samples below provide a more complex definition – gratitude is a feeling and a state of being thankful for the kindness, care, attention, relations, help, and everything desirable. Note in your essay that a feeling of gratitude is the ability to see and acknowledge the good in people, in their actions, and the world. Gratitude should not always require a specific reason – we can choose to be grateful for waking up in the morning and being able to breathe and live. Take a look at samples of essays below for more insight on gratitude. </span>

I want to express my gratitude for my family's assistance with the research. Additionally, I want to express my gratitude to the professors for their advice and assistance with the thesis writing process. I would also like to thank Juliet and Renee, my tutors, for their patience and commitment in...

Words: 5059

My childhood has little to do with my biological father or mother's affection, having been born and rejected by both parents when I was a toddler, adopted by a local orphanage, and raised along with other absolute orphans. I realized that the world was a cruel place as I got...

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The Novel and Its Themes The novel is mostly based on the real-life work of one Mr. Gay. He has a selection of their incredible poetry that he uses to illustrate the circle and cycle of life. The Core Poems Burial, Wiping, and Catalogue of Unabashed Gratitude are the three core poems. The...

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Home / Essay Samples / Life / Gratitude / Defining the Importance of Gratitude and Happiness in the Life

Defining the Importance of Gratitude and Happiness in the Life

• Category: Life
• Topic: Actions , Gratitude , Happiness

Pages: 4 (1925 words)

Views: 5622

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