Why GratItude Is Good

Gratitude goes beyond great manners – it’s a mindset and a lifestyle choice. Holly Louise Eells discovers the art of appreciation

- Holly Louise Eells

The festive season is over and hopefully everyone’s had lots of fun, but now it’s time to begin the post-Christmas task of putting pen to paper – or fingers to phone – and writing or typing our thank you notes. After all, it’s common courtesy.

You may well ask: what is the big deal about manners and gratitude? Well, for starters, gratitude can change your life because it makes you appreciate what you have rather than what you don’t have.

Gratitude and manners are vital for our everyday wellbeing and, believe it or not, benefits us all, not just the younger generation. As a girl, my mother taught me polite words and phrases, to respect my elders, to give eye contact, how to communicate well and the basic ‘please’ and ‘thank yous’, which I believe have helped me in many ways.

“It always starts at home,” says leadership, life and career coach Tracy James from Maidenhead, Berkshire. “Our children copy everything we do from a very young age. If we demonstrate inconsiderate and internally focussed behaviours, they will manifest in our children before they even go to school.”

Instead, we need to instil common courtesy, manners and gratitude in our children by modelling that behaviour. And a small deed, such as writing a thank you note, goes a long way.