This year, more than ever, it is important to remember to look for the good in our lives.

With the approach of World Gratitude Day on Monday, September 21, The Newtown Bee wants to hear from readers.

What are you grateful for? Where do you find happiness? Who or what makes you smile? What spontaneous event made you feel good recently?

World Gratitude Day was reportedly launched in 1965, during a Thanksgiving gathering at the International East-West Center in Hawaii. Spiritual leader and meditation teacher Sri Chinmoy suggested a day of thanks the entire world could observe together.

Those present resolved to hold a gratitude gathering in their respective countries on September 21.

Within a decade, the United Nations Meditation Group requested a formal resolution to give recognition for World Gratitude Day. A formal ceremony took place in 1977 at the UN headquarters in New York, honoring Chinmoy for his work.

Edna Fuerth Lemle, who presented a proclamation plaque to Chinmoy, noted that the spiritual leader “has enhanced the spirit of globalism with his compassion, his creativity, and his great nobility.”

In reading from the proclamation, Lemle further noted that “gratitude, the opposite of ‘taking for granted,’ is a positive emotion which generates good will, is a basic emotion which is indigenous to all people, is a peace-engendering feeling.”

In accepting the honor, Chinmoy said in part “there is nothing more meaningful and precious than man’s gratitude.”

According to Psychology Today, gratitude is both a spontaneous feeling as well as a practice.

“Studies show that people can deliberately cultivate gratitude, and there are important social and personal benefits to doing so.”

Also according to the magazine, psychologists have found that, “over time, feeling grateful boosts happiness and fosters both physical and psychological health, even among those already struggling with mental health problems.

“Studies show that practicing gratitude curbs the use of words expressing negative emotions and shifts inner attention away from such negative emotions as resentment and envy, minimizing the possibility of ruminating, which is a hallmark of depression.”

Ways To Celebrate #WorldGratitudeDay

*Begin (or continue) a gratitude journal.

Keep track of the things that you are thankful for. Big or small, those notes can be looked at later to remind you that life is indeed good.

*Reflect on the bad.

Remembering an illness, an accident, and any other life challenge that has been overcome is another way to reflect on one’s strength. Be grateful for that strength.

*Donate blood.

As of this morning, there were no blood drives locally scheduled for September 21, but there are two on September 23 (in Danbury and New Fairfield), one on September 24 in Bethel, and two on September 25 (Monroe and Southbury). Being healthy enough to donate one pint of blood for a stranger who needs it should provide immense gratification.

Visit redcrossblood.org for details on these and other local blood drives.

*Donate to a local food bank/food pantry.

FAITH Food Pantry has collection boxes set up at the office of The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road; and Caraluzzi’s Newtown Market, 5 Queen Street.

The pantry is currently open — by appointment only — Tuesday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 am, and Thursday afternoons from 4 to 6 pm. Call 203-837-0816 or 203-426-5604 to make an appointment. Donations can be left at The Newtown Bee and Caraluzzi’s Market any time either location is open.

*Spend time with your favorite people and/or at your favorite place.

*Look for the good in you.

Don’t look in the mirror and obsess over the single gray hair that only you notice.

Look at your beautiful eyes. Share that gorgeous smile. Appreciate the delicate wrinkles at the corners of your eyes that come from years of smiling and laughter.

*Celebrate your home.

Whether literally the roof under which you live or the ZIP code you call home, look for the good around you.

*Celebrate your family.

The mixed bag of nuts that makes up each family is unique. Celebrate that diversity, and the person it has made you.

*Make a joyful noise.

Whether you sing professionally or just in the shower (or the car), many people find joy when vocalizing. Perform for others or sing along with the radio, solo or within a crowd... Go ahead, sing a song.

*Appreciate the blessing that is social media.

Despite how quickly negative things go viral, now that it is so easy to share things with the world, there are good things about Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, etc. Have you ever shared good news online, and then received words of encouragement in response?

Be the good. Compliment someone. Share a positive thought, photo, or illustration. Offer a good review of a local business.

Speaking of social media…

**Share your thoughts and photos on our social media pages!**

We want to hear from our readers, and will then share your responses, for the September 25, 2020 issue of The Newtown Bee. Use the hashtag #WorldGratitudeDay or #WorldGratitudeDayNewtown when you share your thoughts on our Facebook (facebook.com/thenewtownbee), Twitter (twitter.com/thenewtownbee), and/or Instagram (instagram.com/thenewtownbee) pages.

Those who prefer to send or drop off notes can send them to the attention of Shannon Hicks c/o The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470. Notes should be received by noon Wednesday, September 23.

Responses will be shared next week.