As we approach the season for gratitude, consider the ways in which it’s equally important to express and feel gratitude. “Not only does gratitude improve the well-being of the giver and the recipient, but it may also be good for those who witness it,” writes Christina Caron in the New York Times. “Watching an act of gratitude between two people can cause an observer to feel more warmth and affinity toward them both.” Spend some time reflecting on a time when you have witnessed an act of gratitude; maybe it was someone sincerely thanking another person for providing help in a store or on the street, or an exchange between loved ones in which a specific instance of generosity or assistance was acknowledged. Then, write a personal essay about the memories and thoughts that arise when you explore how this type of grateful interaction makes you feel.
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