The other questionnaire that I took was the one that measured gratitude. I chose this one because I feel that I’ve always felt really lucky in terms of my family and the experiences that I’ve been able to have. I also think that since starting college and being on my own for the first time, I’ve gotten an even stronger sense of gratitude for the things that I miss back home even the small ones. For example, going to the market with my mom or walking the dogs with my dad, or having a kitchen to be able to be creative and cook for myself. I’ve also, in transitioning to college, experienced extreme moments of highs and lows, and in reflection on myself have become extremely appreciative of those that contributed to those high moments. I think that in those times of struggle my ability and default to remember that I have so much “going” for me, help me get out of the rut or mindset I temporarily constructed.
Being able to step out and zoom out on a situation gives me the perspective to see/identify the more trivial things that I’m obsessing over and gives me a better understanding of what I’m essentially over-worrying about. Gratitude in its essence allows me to stay grounded.
I think when living on your own it’s essential to feel a sense and maintain a sense of gratitude because, without it, the experience can become isolating. I think there’s also a difference between internal gratefulness and the power of voicing gratefulness. For example, my parents and I are super super super close and I consider them to be my best friends. While most people admire their parents in some way, the reason why I think that we’re particularly close as a family unit is that we verbalize our gratitude for each other and the world around us daily. Gratitude and expressing one’s gratitude is s really really easy way to show someone that you care. In showing that you care, you are able to form stronger relationships.
Another aspect of gratitude that’s important is openness. In this way, I think that gratitude can be somewhat like a mindset that anyone can put on if they put in the effort. This is important especially on a college campus as it is like a breeding ground for cross-cultural experiences. Having gratitude in this respect is having an appreciation for all the differences between individuals and the excitement to engage and hear their life experiences. Having initial gratitude, openness, and receptiveness to others is an essential stepping stone to creating a strong community.
