The Taking For Granted Syndrome

New years usually begin with taking a look back, and making new plans. This year too, began with yet another look at the year bygone and a recycled list of new year resolutions. My list is a recycled one cause there is a pre-existing list of un-fulfilled resolutions from the previous years; with a few that I added this year😛 (I don’t actually write down the list, it is just a mental note).

Resolution or no resolution, there’s one activity that is almost an ongoing thing for me - the reflection activity …throughout the year, probably gets stronger during the initial days when a new year begins.

Through out the reflection there is one strong thought/observation that refused to leave my mind. The one about what I call the “Taking for Granted Syndrome” (TGS). I assume the name gives away the meaning intended, but let’s talk more.

The corollary to the syndrome is a “lack of gratitude”. Very obvious and very omnipresent too. Sad, but true. We all, including me, have always been told about the power of gratitude. I’m sure we have experienced it at least on some instances in our lives – but I guess we need multiple powerful lessons to save us from the TGS and take the gratitude highway.

The year 2020 has been such a lengthy and excruciatingly mind-tiring lesson. It was definitely a powerful one for me, and I believe that’s the case for many across the globe. I do not want to get into the tiny details of what it taught me. However, it did make me realize – at several points – to be grateful to so many things I have – good health, a loving family, a job, friends! The list is endless, yet at times I see myself sneaking into the loneliness zone, finding things that are missing from life (not necessarily important). Why?

The answer is known – our brains are wired to look at what’s lacking and then go down the unhappiness spiral. We are so prone to taking things and everything we have for granted – with no acknowledgement that these things and people exist, no appreciation that we have it. That is the reason, each one of us needs to make an effort to move away from TGS and move closer towards a “gratitude- attitude”.

I believe gratitude starts blooming the moment we STOP taking everything for granted. Try it – start with a mental note of all BIG things you have, all the people who are there for YOU and I am sure very soon, you will have an endless list of micro-notes about things and people that you don’t want to take for granted. Something as tiny and routine as a warm mug of coffee, or a good chat with an old friend will seem invaluable. The moment you save yourselves from the TGS, I promise, your heart will be filled with boundless gratitude and abundant happiness.

Have a gratitude-filled happy 2021!

P.S. I started writing this at the beginning of 2020, finished it now (even more relevant) – but thank god I did 😉