What is the secret to a happy life? It is a question as old as humanity itself. The answer is not new, but it is easily forgotten. In his compelling TED Talk, David Steindl-Rast, a prominent Austrian-American Catholic Benedictine monk, lays out the answer in a powerful reminder, titled “Want to be happy? Be grateful”.
Steindl-Rast begins by stating a well-known universal about human beings – we all want to be happy, even if our own idea of happiness may be unique. There is a deep connection between gratitude and happiness. This is apparent when we meet people who seem to have everything – wealth, fame and success – yet they are not happy. There are also many individuals who are very misfortunate and yet they radiate happiness. The reason for the latter is because they are grateful.
“Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy – because we will always want to have something else or something more.”
This powerful TED Talk asks us to reflect on times in our lives when we have received something truly valuable that we have not earned. Here, we sense that a real gift has been handed to us. The natural response is to be grateful. We recognise that we have not earned it or worked for it. Yet how many of us maintain this attitude continuously? If we are honest, often we regard our possessions as things which we have earned. We have a right to them, so what reason is there to be grateful?
Steindl-Rast’s message is a timely reminder that most of the good things we enjoy are ultimately gifts. Our health is a gift. Our youth and our families are gifts. By taking time to deeply think about the many blessings we take for granted, we quickly realise that this is what they truly are – blessings. Who you decide to be grateful to (e.g. a higher power) is up to each person to decide.
Want to be happy? Be grateful is careful to point out that we should not be grateful for violence, war and other harmful aspects of life. However, we can be grateful in any moment for the opportunities we have before us. If we have experienced a loss, for instance, we still have the chance to love others. When a challenge comes, it can bring an opportunity to grow character traits such as patience and resilience.
Steindl-Rast’s talk is an important invitation for all of us to reexamine our attitudes and be more conscious of the gifts and opportunities we receive. One idea is to create “stop signs” which you can notice when you move throughout your day. Did you notice the clean water that quickly came out of the tap after you turned it? Many people do not enjoy that simple gift. Maybe write a little sticker on the faucet to be grateful.
We commend this great Ted Talk to you!
