The Unexpected Benefits of Gratitude

A couple months into the pandemic, I heard a common sentiment expressed. People were all noting how much we took our pre-COVID lifestyles for granted. Spending time with friends and going in to work were once regular, non-events. Going to the grocery store was formerly not considered a health risk. Activities that had previously been considered non-noteworthy had become precious gifts.

Could one of the silver linings of the pandemic be that people start to experience more gratitude?

With much of daily-life having changed abruptly and dramatically, the first sentiment people felt was likely not gratitude! I, along with many others, experienced a wave of emotions that came in stages — first there was denial, then anger, and then grief. I knew these feelings were all valid and each person must take their own time to process. After reflecting on the loss of my pre-pandemic lifestyle for some time, I began to feel acceptance. I could hold the perspective that — at least for now — this was how life was.

It was only in this stage that I could recognize my current and former gifts with gratitude. I was in relatively good physical and mental health. I had a wonderful family that I was isolating with. We had toilet paper and snacks. I would be ok.

The feeling that came next surprised me. I felt inspired to take action to preserve the things I cherished most. It had only taken a global pandemic for me to truly appreciate how fleeting and precious these gifts were. I had gradually been noticing my body change with age and that I wasn't quite as limber as a decade earlier, but until then I hadn't done much about it. Somehow, feeling gratitude for my current level of health inspired me to work more to maintain it and even build on it. Similarly, months of isolation from my friends and family inspired me to appreciate more deeply our time together. I felt motivated to nurture these relationships even further.

If feeling gratitude is new for you, I invite you to contemplate it further. Some questions to pondor:

What in my life (past or present) do I feel grateful for?

What might happen if I don't nurture these things? What actions can I take to preserve the things I cherish? How would I feel?