I’m not new to expressing and writing about gratitude and I don’t think I’ve struggled too much to feel grateful for what I have and/or what I’ve experienced in my life. Even very painful and difficult events in my life have led me to something much better that I’d have expected and I’m grateful for them now, despite feeling horrible when they were happening. But I’m not a blind believer in Nietzsche’s ‘what doesn’t kill us will make us stronger’ as becoming stronger requires making that choice of wanting to grow, open-mindedness, vulnerability and effort. I haven’t always got it all right, but I’ve always chosen to learn a lesson or two and use it later in life for my benefit. And I’m grateful I’ve made that choice.
This period of lockdown seems to have forced a lot of people to reflect, notice those supposedly little and taken for granted things (and people!) in their lives , rethink their priorities and face the reality with humility and gratitude.
I’m grateful that I have a safe place to live in and that I have a garden, which makes life during lockdown a bit easier. And that I can plant flowers, veggies and herbs. And that I can compost vegetable scraps. I’m grateful there’s a huge park just across the street that I can go to (it’s big enough to follow social distancing rules). I’m grateful that I have water and other utilities. I’m grateful that I have shops in walking distance and that I can afford buying food, despite not earning any money at the moment. I’m grateful that I’ve been learning to be careful with what I buy, so perishables won’t go to waste. I’m grateful that I connect and reconnect with so many wonderful friends I have in different corners of the world. So I’m grateful for technology too! I’m grateful that I don’t live alone at the moment. I’m grateful that I can still study. That I can meditate. And that I’m healthy.
I feel like I’m the luckiest person in the world 
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Why does gratitude matter?! Gratitude is a key to happiness or at least a way to boost happiness, especially right now, in these crazy times. I am grateful for your words! Good luck and stay healthy Karina!
Thank you, Anna, appreciate your comment
Totally! Gratitude is an incredibly powerful tool and yes, it has an important role in boosting happiness and wellbeing! I’ve just spent few months digging deeper and researching gratitude not only in Buddhism, but mainly in positive psychology. As you know, my assignment is on the subject 
Hope to hear more of your thoughts in future! x
Appreciate that you’ve found time to read and comment on my post- thank you
Do you think it will last?
If so, what changes will people make in their lives, what won’t they change, do you think?
Thanks for reading and commenting, Ricky
I hope it will. There will be people, I think, who really start appreciating what they have and how life can go on without so many material things and how connection with others matters! Don’t think that everyone will change- laziness, ignorance, greed are, unfortunately, rampant, yet I believe that even if some of the world population makes small, yet sustainable positive changes, we’ll emerge from this lockdown much better species 
We can’t stop learning and reflecting though!
Great to hear from you again- I always appreciate your comments