The Power of Gratitude in Life

An attitude of gratitude brings great things. Expressing gratitude could provide many benefits in health, religion, and social life. The power of gratitude enlightens life, brings peace, and boosts positivity despite shortcomings. People who fail to implement and retain the positive value of gratitude will be suffered in experiencing predicaments. The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness. Gratitude can be defined in different ways according to the situation. The common interpretation of gratitude is the feeling of being grateful or thankful.

Gratitude can be considered as one of the highly esteemed virtues in Islam and a form of worship. Allah S.W.T says in Quran Chapter 14, verse 7: “And remember when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you in favor; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.” In this verse, Allah clearly describes that he will increase more blessings if his servants are grateful. Practicing gratitude in Islam also means giving praise and repaying the kindness to Allah almighty who had showered us with abundant prosperities such as breath, health, family, friend, and others. The power of gratitude in Islam enables Muslims to seek Allah's pleasure and build a strong relationship between God and his servants.

Besides, the positive value of gratitude could help to distract from negative emotion, improving health, build strong relationships, and others. Nowadays, the pandemic Covid 19 had greatly affected people's life. Maintaining good health has become the utmost thing during the pandemic especially to reduce the risk of Covid 19 and mental health. Imam Syafie said, "Health is a crown that the healthy wear but only the sick can see it". This is in line with SDG goal number three, which is health and wellbeing. Adding and cultivating positive values such as gratitude could help people regain their spirit and count their blessings during the pandemic.

I strongly believe by implementing gratitude, a person could live their life in a greater way. The feeling of gratitude requires self - conscious and struggle. Each person practices their gratitude in a different way. The easiest way to cultivate gratitude is by counting the blessing. Find time in a week and count the blessing in numbers. Highlighting the blessing could help us in doing and preserving the sense of gratitude. The positive value of gratitude is one of the important aspects of life and should be constantly practiced by people. Thus, developing gratitude as a virtue shaping a better way of life.

Written by:

Husna Nabila bt Rosmimi @ Rosli