As we look around, it is easy to find things that we are grateful for. The basics: clean water, a home or shelter, accessibility to food. But, we have more to be grateful for. The question is, do we show our gratitude in ways that matter? 

The ability to display a level of appreciation for someone or something does not go unnoticed. This is because the behavior is so rare. 

“[people] just don’t really understand how lucky they are,” Ashlynn Baker (9) said. 

Since 2020, there has been a lack of social skills in the 13-18 age group, creating a deficit in the level of appreciation shown. 

“Some people don’t act like it,” Baker said. She feels students around her don’t act like they’re grateful for the life they have.

Entitlement plays a big role in why students may not feel the need to express their appreciation for the life they live.

“I think sometimes they have a hard time looking outside of themselves because there is a lot of stress on students. And I think sometimes the stress is so heavy that it’s difficult to break through that,” Lisa Rodino, School to Work Coordinator, said. 

We get so overwhelmed with our own lives, that we forget to appreciate those around us. This attitude affects our outlook on life, whether we notice it or not. 

“It’s important to find ways that you let people know that they’re important to you,” Rodino said. 

This approach to life is important because it impacts more than the people around you, but yourself as well. 

According to the National Library of Medicine, gratitude studies can be used to show how displaying appreciation may impact a person’s mood or actions. 

An increase in gratitude can have a positive impact in the mental decisions we are taking in life. This change in behavior could benefit relationships throughout people’s lives if they choose to approach gratitude with a positive demeanor. 

Din Zhang, author from National Library of Medicine, said, “gratitude is an effective way for people to achieve peace and tranquility after a long life, and also an effective way to make personal relationships harmonious.”