CHUKWUDOBELUM MEDIA
4TH INSPIRATIONAL ARTICLE
THEME: GRATITUDE

INTRODUCTION: 
Origin of gratitude;
Gratitude, thankfulness, gratefulness.
From the Latin word 'gratus',( pleasing, thankful).
Is a feeling of appreciation felt by and/ or similar positive response shown by the recipient of kindness, gifts, help, or other types of kindness, towards the giver of such gifts.
The experience of gratitude has historically been a focus of several world religions. It has also been a topic of interest to ancient, medieval and modern philosophers.
The systematic study of gratitude within psychology only began around the year 2000, possibly because psychology traditionally focused more on understanding distress than on understanding positive emotions. The study of gratitude within psychology has included the understanding of the short term experience of the emotion of gratitude (state gratitude), individual differences in how frequently people feel gratitude ( trait gratitude), and the relationship between these two aspects, as well as the therapeutic benefits of gratitude.

COMPARISON WITH INDEBTEDNESS
Gratitude is not the same as indebtedness. While both emotions occur following help , indebtedness occurs when a person perceives that they are under obligation to make some repayment of compensation for aid, the emotions lead to different actions; indebtedness can motivate the recipient of the aid to avoid the person who has helped them, where as gratitude can motivate the recipient to seek out their benefactor, and to improve their relationship with them.

RELIGIOUS APPROACHES
The Link between spirituality and gratitude has recently become a popular subject of study. While these two characteristics are certainly not dependent on each other, studies have found that spirituality is capable of enhancing a person's ability to be grateful, and therefore, those who regularly attend religious activities are more likely to have a greater sense of gratitude in all areas of life. Worship with gratitude to God is a common theme in such religions, and therefore, the concept of gratitude permeate religious texts, teachings, and traditions. For this reason is one of the most common emotions that religious aim to provoke, and maintain in followers, and regarded as a universal religious sentiment.
Gratitude has been said to mold and shape the entire Christian Life. Martin Luther referred to gratitude as " the basic christain attitude ", and today it is still referred to as"the heart of the gospel". Christians are strongly encouraged to praise and give gratitude to their creator. In Christian gratitude, God is seen as the selfless giver of all good things, and because of this, there is a deep sense of gratefulness which enables Christians to share a common bond, shaping all aspects of a followers life. Gratitude in Christianity is an acknowledgement of God's generosity that inspire Christians to shape their own thoughts, and actions around such ideal.

EMPIRICAL FINDINGS
Association with well-being:
People who are more grateful have higher levels of subjective well-being. Grateful people are happier, less depressed, less stressed, and more satisfied with their lives and social relationships.
Specifically, in terms of depression, gratitude may serve as a buffer by enhancing the coding and retrievability of positive experiences. Grateful people also have higher levels of control of their environments, personal growth, purpose in life, and self acceptance. Grateful people have more positive ways of coping with difficulties they experience in life, being more likely to seek support from other people , reinterpret, and grow from experiences, and spend more time planning how to deal with the problem. Grateful people also have less negative coping strategies, being less likely to try to avoid the problem, deny there is a problem, blame themselves, or cope through substance use. Grateful people sleep better, and this seems to be because they think less negative, and more positive thoughts just before going to sleep. In addition a person's gratitude can protect the relationship satisfaction of their partner.
                                 BE GRATEFUL!
CONCLUSION: 
According to Cicero, " Gratitude is not only the greatest of the virtues but the parent of all others ".
Gratitude in our world today is no more observed. How many of us are grateful for the life which they have up till today? FEW, people only celebrate the gift of life on their birthdays, how many of us celebrate the gift of life daily? FEW, how many of us Live in gratitude? FEW. There are some certain things one should do to merit more sound achievements, all we are good in is to tell the creator all our problems. How do you feel when you do good to others, and in return they serve you anger?, Let's learn to be grateful for " a grateful heart is a happy heart " Yes I can remember this during the Live habits for happiness challenge with a story teller - Jay Shetty
During the Live habits for happiness challenge with this story teller I encountered some great works , and deeds from gratitude, he says" gratitude is a science that help to boost one's happiness by 10% which is equal to double one's income. Also he says " that when you are grateful for what people has done for you, you will put them to a very big test to do more". But come to our world today people no longer care for the good deeds you did for them, they have it as their right, and that is where it all started "GREED". When you are not grateful for what a friend, brother or sister did for you it makes you inhuman, it separates you, and success, it brings an end to your forth coming favors. Let's examine, search and call ourselves to order, let's put on our good manners shoe once more. I could remember when we were little, after eating with our parents, we always say "thanks Dad, thanks Mom ", how many of us today are still living by that wonderful moral? NOT MANY. We care for who to give us , how to get it, and where to get it, they are all in you, do not be on the mat of ignorance asking for favor, you killed it yourself, but there is a resurrection for there are three things to done to get it back.
1. Be grateful!
2. Stay grateful!
3. Remain grateful!
I could remember a female friend of mine who learnt gratitude through me, because she noticed always how I answer some of her questions, especially anytime she asked ' how are you doing ', I always reply with ' I'm good, thank you ', she got that immediately, and lived by it. That's the mission (INSPIRE ME I INSPIRE YOU MEDIA).
Do not say you didn't hear about the power in gratitude someday. Remember you are in control of your life, don't just admire others, and think those people have it on them one day, NO " A PRICE WAS PAID ", You have to pay a price for you to get what you want, and gratitude is one of those prices you must pay. Gratitude is for free, and sets everyone free, and self at peace, when we don't live in gratitude we become ungrateful remember, gratitude is something that changes negativity into positivity even in the hardest situation, it increase happiness for positive mood. Don't forget about " gratitude " in November, for it may open up the door of success in December for you and don't forget that being grateful has a domino effect.
Examine yourself once more (it's a new month remember)
Skip the past and fix the future (it's a new month remember)
And be nice to November, for it to serve you a December of your dream (it's a new month remember).
Thank you as you get yourself inspired.
(LET-LOVE-LEAD)
BY: CHUKWUDOBELUM MICHAEL (P.sm)
(MEDIA FOUNDER)