A Simple Reminder

A big part of our lives as military teens is gratitude. You are likely already familiar with the importance of gratitude, so let this article serve as a simple reminder to pause and appreciate all the blessings in your life.

It may seem cliché, but gratitude is truly one of the most valuable skills we can develop. This positive emotion is a key sustenance of our lives; it keeps us afloat amidst life's difficulties and centered on what is important to us. By practicing gratitude, we are able to maintain healthy and optimistic mindsets.

So, what does gratitude mean for us as military teens? With so much shifting and changing in our lives, being able to realize what we have to be grateful for in any given circumstance is essential. No matter how helpless we may feel in the face of certain hardships, such as an unforeseen PCS or the deployment of a parent, we are capable of drastically altering our perspectives on the situation with gratitude. Taking a moment to pause in the midst of a torrent of negative emotions to reflect on what we are grateful for can enable us to see things in a new light. We can even appreciate the hard times, as they enhance our endurance and strength to overcome.

Additionally, gratitude is invaluable because it boosts our mental and physical health. Practicing gratitude through contentment and appreciation reduces negative feelings like stress, anxiety, and depression. An intrinsic link exists between our mental and physical health. An improvement in mental health can lessen strains on the heart and improve sleep and overall physical well-being. So, if you find yourself feeling anxious or dejected as a result of a situation you are going through or for any reason, try to combat it with thoughts of gratitude.

When we reflect back on moments of gratitude during challenging times in our lives, they become a testimony of our resilience through difficulties. They are an indication of our great endurance -- an endurance which continues to propel us forward on this path of perseverance as military children.

The future is not guaranteed, so live in the moment and find what there is to appreciate in life.