42. Gratitude

Master's Message children's class discussion topic of the week.

Gratitude means noticing and appreciating what you have instead of focusing on what you don’t have.

Instead of feeling upset because someone has more than you or is better at something, be thankful for your own talents and the good things in your life.

When you enjoy your favourite dinner, have fun with friends and family, or spend time in nature, take a moment to appreciate how lucky you are.

Even when things don’t go as planned in your life, there are still many things to be thankful for. So, the next time you feel upset, take a moment to think about the good things in your life.

There are many people around the world living in poverty, homelessness, war, surrounded by crime, and with incurable diseases and disabilities. If your life is nicer than that, then realise how lucky you are.

You feel happier when you focus on the good.

Gratitude is like a pair of glasses that helps you see the bright side of life instead of focusing only on problems.

Gratitude is more than just saying "thank you". It is a high energy emotion similar to happiness, which makes you feel good and attracts more good things to you like a magnet.

A grateful heart finds calm in the chaos. By focusing on blessings rather than burdens, we feel more content.

Bruce Lee once asked, “Is the glass half full or half empty?” If you see it as half empty, you might feel disappointed that you didn’t get more water. But if you see it as half full, you can feel thankful for the water you do have.

Cobra Martial Arts & Fitness Centres - Personal Development Program - 1991.