Topic 2:

Gratitude. 

‘Gratitude’ is Thankfulness, Gratefulness- it’ s a feeling of appreciation shown by a person to another being or God. We show gratitude everyday knowingly or unknowingly! Situations do not have to be perfect for us to show gratitude or appreciation. We know things could be worse and that makes us thankful.

One formula I have adopted in life is the act of gratitude to God and Man. Nobody owes you anything, and if someone shows you love you appreciate it. 

This might be an insensitive time to write this topic as the world is going through a phase it has never experienced before, at least in our lifetime. A lot of negativity going on; news headlines are not appealing, there is panic and chaos everywhere.

The government is being thrown into a world they have never been in, and a world they would never have imagined in their lives; but nevertheless putting on heroic hats to do what they can to reassure the public of their safeties and the steps they will take in achieving that objective.

Thousands of people have lost their lives, and many are in hospital beds not knowing when they will be reunited with their loved ones again. Families in disarray as to what the future holds. Hundreds losing their jobs and not sure how to put the next meal on the table. Companies both big and small facing losses as they are unable to provide services. The list is endless! So, I get it when people are crying because they cannot bury their loved ones or bid their final goodbyes. I also get it if they feel there is nothing to be thankful for amid it all. 

One thing I know for certain is, there Is nothing that happens, without God knowing. Everything is seasonal. A season when people are born, and a season when people die- more like recycling! A clearer example would be the different seasons we have in the UK where we experience different changes, all of which impacts our lives. In Spring, the weather gets warmer trees/plants begin to grow new leaves.

In summer, as we are aware is the hottest season and has long sunny days! Autumn- the weather becomes mild and leaves start falling from its trees; and lastly, Winter is the coldest of all these seasons.

 I guess the point I am trying to make is all these seasons/weather have different impact on people’s lives. Different things happen in each season, You will hear different people talk about how they prefer one season to another e.g., winter because it’s nice and cold and they get to experience snow (don’t ask me why?) and some prefer summer because they get to wear nice comfy clothes etc.

The same goes for our personal lives! We have times when things are not so great e.g., breakdown in relationship(s), and times when we are at our peaks- great career or success

I can only conclude in saying what this season (Covid-19) is trying to teach us is that we need each other more than we ever realised. It is in these uncertain times that we see communities merge regardless of their race or religion. Differences being put aside and kindness being at the forefront of it all. Volunteers in their thousands and some even kind enough to leave foods on the doorsteps of their neighbours. This pandemic showed us what we have been lacking as human race! It showed us Unity! It showed us love! And it also showed us that every “lives matter”. Through it all, its showing us to adopt a heart of gratitude even when things are not so perfect.