Last week at a leadership conference, I heard someone say that there is a strong correlation between gratitude and happiness. People with more gratitude are naturally happier. Of course, I reviewed the literature myself and came away with the same conclusion. According to Harvard Health Publications by Harvard Medical School, positive psychology research indicates, “gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness.”
Some approaches to life are common sense, and this concept is another one of those common-sense theories that is backed by legitimate research. One of my former students suddenly passed away last week after she was struck by a car in Philadelphia. She lived a life that confirms there exists a correlation between gratitude and happiness.
I knew her since middle school as her principal, and this year she was a proud senior at Temple University majoring in social work. Erin worked, she was a member of the social work honor society, she had an internship at a hospital, and she ran a blanket drive for mental patients.
She learned at an early age that servant leadership played an integral role in school and the community. Erin encouraged her classmates to accept their roles as leaders, and she showed them the connection to service. She was able to get her teachers and classmates “fired up” about life itself.
"Live is for living", and she was the biggest advocate for gratitude and living life to the fullest. Erin modeled her enthusiasm, and it did not go unrecognized. When I visited her house, her mother remembered a Renaissance People’s Choice award that she received in seventh grade from her physical education teacher: “Her excitement can be heard across the room. A loud scream occurs when a simple task is completed. This always makes me laugh. Her energy is contagious. She is extremely helpful to everyone in class. Not a day goes by that she does not compliment another student.”
As I listened to her young friends and other people that knew her well, I could not help but have gratitude for knowing her. Inspiration comes in many forms. To Erin’s friends, teachers, relatives, and anyone that came in contact with her, inspiration was perpetuated by her. Erin never forgot where she came from and she knew where she was going because her moral compass was pointed true north.
This is a huge week for gratitude. I am grateful for many things, especially my family, friends, and experiences. And everyone that knew Erin is grateful, too. Peace.
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