THE POWER OF GRATITUDE: Closing the year with social awareness and mental health

“The only way out is through.”
Robert Frost

 

The end of a year is, in many ways, a turning point in our lives. It is a time to reflect on the successes and challenges we have faced in the twelve intense months (sometimes as brief as a snap of the fingers and sometimes as slow as great expectation), and also to look forward with hope and optimism to what the new year holds for us. In this process of reflection and projection, gratitude emerges as a powerful ally for our emotional well-being and our connection to the society in which we live.

Gratitude is a complex emotion that goes beyond simple displays of courtesy. It is a deep appreciation for what we have, for the people who surround us and stayed with us along the way, and for the experiences we have lived. Gratitude not only makes us feel good, but it also has a significant impact on our mental and emotional health.

There are places I’ll remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain.
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends, I still can recall
Some are dead, and some are living
In my life, I’ve loved them all.”
“IN MY LIFE”, The Beatles

When we practice gratitude, we are training our minds to focus on the positive, on the big and small details that provided enough impetus to continue each day. This does not mean ignoring or denying the challenges or difficulties we face in the many journeys of the year, but rather we practice a way of finding light in moments of profound darkness, places that are no exaggeration if we recognize them as authentic abysses of existence. Gratitude allows us to become aware of the small things that we often overlook, and each of us knows how to identify perfectly. By paying attention to these small joys, we cultivate a sense of abundance rather than lack.

But gratitude is not just an exercise in individual well-being, as it has a profound impact on our relationship with the society and community in which we live. When we are aware of what we have and are grateful for it, we are more inclined to share, to care for others, and to act in solidarity with those who live in much more difficult contexts and circumstances. Gratitude connects us to our shared humanity and prompts us to take action to improve not only our own lives, but the lives of others as well.

GRATITUDE FOR GOALS ACHIEVED

“The strongest people are not those who show their strength in front of us,
but those who win battles we know nothing about.”
Jonathan Harnisch

 

Often, as we approach the end of a year, we find ourselves overwhelmed by stress and anxiety. We reflect on unmet goals, moments of difficulty, and personal challenges. We often force ourselves to maintain a mindset of mandatory positivity, which does not allow us to see our successes and mistakes in depth so that they can develop as resolutions or learning experiences. This is why it is important to allow ourselves to feel as many emotions as we can; let us take into account that part of this is due to the natural and human melancholy that can occur at the end of any cycle.

Gratitude does not mean denying our struggles, but rather finding a balance between recognizing our difficulties and appreciating what we do have. Instead of lamenting what has not worked, we can be thankful for the opportunities for personal growth and development that those difficulties have provided us. In doing so, we find a sense of purpose in our experiences, even the most challenging ones.

The end of a year is also a time for action. Gratitude should not remain just a passive reflection, but should drive us to contribute to our well-being. We can do this through acts of kindness, volunteering, charitable donations or simply paying attention to the needs of those around us, listening to others, giving them a moment of attention that we all need. In this way, gratitude becomes a driving force that motivates us to be better citizens and to build a more just and caring society.

In times of uncertainty and challenge, such as those we have faced in recent years (from the emergence of the pandemic at the end of 2019 and the subsequent global ravages, to the most recent events of the various wars in different countries around the world), gratitude becomes an emotional anchor that helps us stay calm and resilient. It reminds us that, despite the difficulties, there are reasons for hope and joy. And it gives us the strength to move forward and face the challenges that the new year will bring.

Gratitude is a powerful ally to close the year with social awareness and mental health. It serves as a perfect exercise in appreciation, reconciliation with ourselves and the environment, helping us forgive ourselves for the constant demands we place on ourselves, and provides the most appropriate reflection to take action towards our purposes, value others, and most importantly, recognize our achievements, however small they may have been. Let us remember that we are at the mercy of circumstances, which often overwhelm us, and it is heroism enough to strive with what we have at key moments. Gratitude is not a mandate to be positive at all times, but rather an invitation to find meaning and purpose in our experiences, both good and difficult. So, as we close out this year, let us allow ourselves to be grateful, compassionate and determined to make the coming year one of growth, solidarity and well-being for all.

“You are never too broken to be fixed.
You are never too lost to be found.
You are never too far away to go back.”
Nikki Banas