Dear Next Generation: ‘The Virtue of Gratitude’

Dear Next Generation, an advice column from readers to young people. Photo by Shutterstock

The most important message I’ve tried to impart to my grandchildren is the virtue of gratitude.

Too often we see ourselves as victims and lament the perceived injustices against us. We dwell on negatives and are easily offended. The result is unhappiness and depression.

Gratitude is the opposite. It is the positive feeling of looking at the good things in life and realizing how fortunate we are. It is the ability to give thanks for all those who have helped us in life—our parents, grandparents, teachers, clergy, physicians, friends, and others.

No matter what our circumstances, we all have something to be thankful for. All we have to do is to take stock of those positives and make a purposeful effort to appreciate them. Being able to thank God for the gift of life, our family, our country, our freedom, and all our blessings is to know true happiness.

Jim Blumel, Sr., California ______________

What advice would you like to give to the younger generations?

We call on all of our readers to share the timeless values that define right and wrong, and pass the torch, if you will, through your wisdom and hard-earned experience. We feel that the passing down of this wisdom has diminished over time, and that only with a strong moral foundation can future generations thrive.

Send your advice, along with your full name, state, and contact information to [email protected] or mail it to: Next Generation, The Epoch Times, 5 Penn Plaza, 8th Fl., New York, NY, 10001.