The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the Asian American News Network or its affiliates.
The year 2020 has been a series of unprecedented twists, endless tragedies, and disastrous events. Amid this hectic time, writers at Oxford Dictionary have abandoned their tradition of selecting one word to describe the year, choosing instead to accumulate a list of words reflecting 2020. Common words like “bushfires”, “Covid-19”, and “Black Lives Matter” referenced the fires in Australia, the Covid-19 pandemic, and George Floyd’s death. Superficially, none of these events signal positivity nor warrant gratitude, but if we look at everything that has happened from the right perspective, we can still find reasons to be grateful.
Despite all of the harrowing events of this year, it’s important to remember that there are parts of our lives to be grateful for. American journalist Robert Quillen once said, “If you count all your assets, you always show a profit.” This is especially true in 2020, where just being alive is a reason for gratitude. With civilians falling ill to coronavirus, millions of Americans without a job, and many more pushed into poverty, our gratitude for health and stability should be infinitely amplified. Moreover, if we look at the big picture, one can find hope for the future. Our struggling economy seems to have regained its footing—most of the major market indices in the stock market have gone up significantly since March, while unemployment rates have gone down to 6.9%. Also, several major companies recently released optimistic results for their vaccines’ clinical trials, and the first doses may be available in the next few months. Although there is always going to be a need for improvement, we ought to recognize these strides towards a more prosperous nation.
Gratitude is the first step towards happiness and sympathy. Finding aspects of your life that you can be grateful for can lead to sympathy for those who are in less fortunate circumstances. If you choose to only focus on your misfortunes, you can become blind to the greater tragedies of others. Furthermore, gratitude contributes significantly to personal happiness. Numerous psychology studies show that gratitude is associated with happiness. In other words, the more grateful you are, the happier you will be, and the happier you are, the more grateful you can be.
As you head into the holiday season, think about moments that made you laugh and the little accomplishments you’ve achieved this year. Try to notice the blessings in life, like the smell of fresh air, a beautiful sunrise, and the refreshing taste of a glass of water. Think about the free time that came with quarantine or the unique stories you can now tell; It might even make a good college app essay. It’s also important to be grateful for your family and friends. Cherish the memories you’ve shared, and don’t forget about all of the love and support they have given you throughout the years. Once you’ve found reasons to be grateful, remember to manifest the thankfulness in your daily life, because happiness is contagious. Renowned maxim writer William Arthur Ward once declared, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
Michelle Liou
