Gratitude

You are reading this article. On a smartphone. Or on a laptop or desktop computer. What does this mean?

You have access to a reliable internet connection. You have an electronic device which lets you be connected to the world and learn absolutely anything (sometimes for free!!!). You are pursuing knowledge, networking or just casually browsing your feed. This means that you are not caught up in a daily cycle of ensuring that you have three meals on the table.

Can we just pause for a moment and realize how privileged we are?

The above text was just a ground level summary of all the good things we already have in our lives. The reality is, the moment we have the basic necessities, we strive to fly higher and achieve bigger goals. And that is fair. For that is our basic instinct; to always want more. But, every once in a while, we must sit down and think about what we already have. Because some things that we take for granted are the exact same things others dream of having in their lives.

So, does a topic like gratitude qualify as "LinkedIn material"? I do not know. However, I want to share the motivation behind this article.

Nobody can deny the fact that we are always being judged on the basis of the amount of money we earn, the companies we work for and the number of exotic vacations we go on. But, not everyone pays heed to these standards set by the society. Those people may seem a bit lost and directionless in their lives. But, they are some of the happiest people you will ever meet. I have had a chance to meet some of them and I can vouch for the above statement.

Does this mean that we must not chase the "materialistic" goals the society expects us to fulfill? Personally, I would like to take a more practical approach on this front. I would structure my life in such a way that I have a good chance of succeeding financially, emotionally and spiritually. I always prioritize what matters more to me and make sure that I do not have any regrets at the end of the day.

It is fine to have your own idea about what a "successful" life looks like.

It is always a good feeling to have more than what we have now. But it is also important to understand how lucky we are right now and be grateful.

I would love to know your views on the topic and what matters more to you. Let us share our views and get exposed to multiple perspectives.