Gratitude is Key: Accepting What We Have – Beggars Can’t be Choosers
In today’s society, it’s easy to become caught up in wanting more and more. As humans, it’s natural to desire the best of everything and we often get carried away with materialism. However, it’s choosing to see what we already possess that leads to gratitude. Gratitude has a considerable impact on your life, from improving physical health, to reducing anxiety and depression, and elevating overall wellbeing.
In this article, we’ll dive into the importance of embracing and accepting what we have, without constantly yearning for more, and how it can help us lead happier and more fulfilling lives.
Gratitude and its Health Benefits
Gratitude allows us to focus on the positive aspects of our lives and helps us to appreciate what we have. Gratitude enhances our physical, emotional, and social health.
Physical Health Benefits
Gratitude is a natural stress reliever. Expressing gratitude initiates the release of dopamine and serotonin, two chemicals in the brain that make you feel good. Regular expressions of thanks can reduce anxiety and depression, which may even result in a happier disposition.
Gratitude is also associated with better sleep quality. People who keep a gratitude journal may sleep longer and report better sleep quality. This can lead to better physical performance and reduced risk of depression and other mental health conditions.
Emotional Health Benefits
People who practice gratitude are known to be more optimistic, less materialistic, and have a higher overall life satisfaction. People who have been diagnosed with mental health issues may also feel a decrease in symptoms such as anxiety and depression.
Social Benefits
Practicing gratitude leads to social benefits such as closer relationships, enhanced stress management skills, and improved communication. People who express thankfulness are more likely to have positive relationships with colleagues, friends, and family members.
Gratitude and Materialism
Materialism is the act of valuing objects or possessions more than anything else. In today’s consumer society, it’s often thought of as the norm. People strive to own the latest gadgets or fashion trends.
However, materialism has been linked to several negative psychological effects, including lower wellbeing, anxiety, insomnia, and the loss of interest in helping others.
Comparison is another related effect of materialism. It’s natural for us to compare ourselves to others, but in the case of materialism, this can lead to dejection and insecurity. We often compare our possessions with those of others, leading us to focus more on what we don’t have rather than what we do have.
Gratitude, on the other hand, allows us to celebrate what we have, without feeling the need to compare or compete with others. Focusing on gratitude can help us cultivate a mindset that is less focused on what we don’t have and more appreciative of what we do have.
Gratitude in Daily Life
Practicing gratitude in daily life is essential for living a more fulfilling life. Here are some practical ways to cultivate gratitude in daily life:
- Keep a Gratitude Journal – Writing down things you’re thankful for every day, whether it be a small thing like a good cup of coffee or a significant event like a promotion at work, will help you focus on what you have. Studies have found that people who keep gratitude journals sleep better, experience less stress, and have a more optimistic outlook.
- Practice Mindfulness – Mindfulness helps you focus on the present moment and the things happening around you. Being present and aware of your surroundings can help you appreciate the simple things in life and lead to greater gratification.
- Show Appreciation to Others – Many of us are quick to notice when someone else has taken something from us, but we’re often not as quick to express gratitude when someone has done something nice for us. Saying thank you to someone who has helped you or shown you kindness can go a long way in fostering positive relationships.
- Stop and Smell the Roses – It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life. Take a few minutes every day to pause and appreciate things around you. Whether it’s a beautiful sunrise or your child’s laughter, taking time to acknowledge and appreciate these moments can increase gratification.
Beggars Can’t be Choosers
The phrase ‘beggars can’t be choosers’ is often used to remind us that we don’t have the power to pick and choose from our circumstances. Being grateful for what we have is the only way to find happiness. Despite being used casually, there’s a lot of truth to this statement.
It straightforwardly suggests that if you don’t have anything in life, you need to learn to appreciate whatever comes your way. It means acknowledging the little things in life, not just the significant events.
Accepting What We Have
Accepting what we have can change our perspective on life. Instead of always being on the lookout for more or what we don’t have, we learn to appreciate what we have and find gratification in the moment. Acceptance helps us to:
- Avoid Comparison – When you accept what you have, you’ll begin to compare yourself less often to others. This will result in fewer feelings of envy and dejection and a generally happier disposition.
- Greater Focus on What You Do Have – By focusing on what you have, instead of what you don’t have, you’ll begin to notice all the things that bring you pleasure and joy. This will lead to greater contentedness.
- Finding a Sense of Peace – Accepting what we have means acknowledging that life is not perfect. By moving past past hurt and the feeling of lack, we can find peace and fulfillment in what we already have.
Conclusion
In the grand scheme of things, it’s hard to deny that there will always be something bigger and better. But it’s gratitude that lets us enjoy and appreciate what we already have. In times where it can be easy to be consumed by materialism and the feeling of lack, it’s essential to focus on giving thanks for the present.
Gratitude can change our outlook on life and bring a sense of peace and joy that nothing else can replicate. The phrase ‘beggars can’t be choosers’ reminds us to be grateful for what we have, acknowledge the small things in life, and most importantly, appreciate the present moment.