Happiness is not what makes us grateful. It is gratefulness that makes us happy.
–Br. David Steindl-Rast
It is well known that gratitude benefits our mental and physical wellbeing. But during hard times, it can be especially hard to muster cheerfulness or contentment. The idea that we have to wait for happiness to arise in order to experience the healthful effects of gratitude is demoralizing—and backwards.
Even when we feel under siege, we are never completely at the mercy of forces beyond our control. We can always make choices. For example, we can decide what we want to focus on. With intent, we can think about whatever blessings, no matter how small, are in our lives. Maybe it’s just the perfection of a hot cup of tea. Or the smile of the person who made it for us. Maybe it’s the fact that we’re capable of walking outside—where we can feel the warmth of the shining sun, notice the bloom of the first daffodil, or hear the chirp of a baby bluebird.
Being aware of and taking in beauty, kindness, natural wonders, and love nurtures our gratitude. And it’s this gratitude that can make us happier.