The Stoics held a high regard for gratitude, a strong emotion of appreciation. Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius were all Stoic philosophers who wrote about the value and advantages of being thankful in our lives. Gratitude can be expressed to other people, such as when they help us out or offer us a present. Based on awareness, thankfulness takes a different form. It is an emotion of thanksgiving for life and all that it has given us. We should always be grateful.

According to Stoicism, we should be grateful for both the good and the bad things that happen to us. They taught us to be appreciative of everything in life. Being thankful during adversity may seem counterintuitive. How do we express gratitude after losing a job, ending a relationship, or losing a loved one? Being grateful in such circumstances may seem tough, but it is not. If we step back and consider the larger picture, we can understand that not only the positive experiences we have had but also the difficulties we have faced have influenced who we are. We should make every effort to be as appreciative as we can. Because being thankful is beneficial to our own mental health. Do you want to be walking around with a smile on your face, feeling blessed and grateful, or be a sad and unhappy person?

So how do we go about being grateful? We are fortunate to have the Stoics as our guides. Starting with awareness and acknowledging the blessings life has given us is a good place to start. It is easy to lose sight of the often abundant blessings in our lives. We may find ourselves wishing for a bigger house, a new car, or other material possessions. Stop for a second and consider that the car you have is a dream to others, and be grateful for it. Be thankful that you have a roof over your head, and stop equating having a bigger home with success. Who are you attempting to impress? Basically, reflect on all the things you have in your life and be thankful for them. We often waste so much time wishing and dreaming for things that we don’t even see the blessings that are already in our lives.

It’s challenging to be grateful, especially in trying circumstances. We must put effort into it. We should make an effort to be grateful for the people in our lives and everything that occurs to us, always keeping in mind that there is an opportunity for gratitude in every situation we find ourselves in.