All posts tagged: Gratitude

“Tenacity & gratitude”: 2026 graduations hear strong advice and push back on intentional controversy

“Tenacity & gratitude”: 2026 graduations hear strong advice and push back on intentional controversy

Published by Sam Flores

Across this year’s commencement season, the selection of speakers has become its own reflection of how institutions are trying and often struggling to speak to a graduating class entering a period of economic and cultural uncertainty. At one end of the spectrum are celebrity and cultural figures who have leaned into humor, vulnerability, and personal storytelling. At Harvard University, comedian Conan O’Brien delivered a commencement address rooted in self-deprecation and reflection on career longevity. At Northeastern University, Hilary Duff brought a similarly nostalgic tone, speaking to reinvention and early-career uncertainty in a way that resonated with younger audiences. Other widely circulated addresses this season came from figures like Henry Winkler at Emerson University, whose relatively brief remarks emphasized warmth, persistence and emotional honesty — qualities that have increasingly defined the speeches that gain traction beyond the ceremony itself. “Live by two words: tenacity and gratitude. Tenacity will get you where you want to go, and gratitude will make you enjoy the journey, no matter how bumpy.” — Henry Winkler, Emerson Univeristy, May 2026 These addresses …

Gratitude, Belonging, and Philosophy | Blog of the APA

Gratitude, Belonging, and Philosophy | Blog of the APA

Published by Jenni Sidey

I came to philosophy somewhat by accident. I am from a bureaucratic, military-dominated area of Northern Virginia; almost everyone I went to high school with went into IT, the military, defense R&D, or sales. When I was invited to an after-school seminar club, “The Dead Philosophers’ Society,” by a history-buff friend of mine, I initially resisted (writing this, I now realize I still have never seen Dead Poets’ Society). I had no idea what an after-school seminar discussing ‘philosophy’ entailed; I did not even know what the involved questions would be. I am glad I went, in part because I quickly realized there was something very interesting here, even if the other high schoolers did not know much, either. The initial session was not very organized, but the idea of the group was student-led discussions on various topics. The first day was deciding the future topics, of which “ethics” was chosen. So, I became interested in what “ethics” even was. Exploring online, I found what would be my philosophical starting point: John Stuart Mill. The …

The 4 Gremlins That Steal Your Gratitude

The 4 Gremlins That Steal Your Gratitude

Published by Jenni Sidey

Many of us aspire to be more grateful yet struggle to feel grateful. Why? Part of the problem could be the presence of certain vices that starve your gratitude: extreme self-reliance, entrenched cynicism, envy, and entitlement. You could call them gratitude gremlins, or the 4Es. (At the end, I’ll share a simple practice to resist them.) 1. Extreme Self-Reliance A healthy dose of self-reliance can be good. But in its extreme form—when we consistently refuse or even dread asking for help—self-reliance not only creates problems in our lives but also makes us less grateful. When we insist on going it alone, we deny others the chance to bless us—and in doing so, we rob ourselves of opportunities to be grateful. Unsurprisingly, research shows that people who highly value autonomy—a sense of independence, uniqueness, and self-reliance—tend to feel less gratitude and to value it less. 2. Entrenched Cynicism Cynicism doesn’t mean a general sense of pessimism but a more specific skepticism about other people—especially their motives. And research by Rebecca Solom and colleagues demonstrates that cynicism …

10 Things Your Grandmother Did For You That You Probably Didn’t Appreciate Until Much Later

10 Things Your Grandmother Did For You That You Probably Didn’t Appreciate Until Much Later

Published by Jenni Sidey

Who doesn’t love a trip to Grandma’s house? The presence of a grandmother (even if she’s not your own) is nurturing, grounding, and full of random bouts of wisdom. There are so many gems grandmothers offer, and we often forget or never get a chance to thank them for all the goodness they bring to life. One of my grandmothers passed away many years ago, leaving a trail of love, laughter, and greatly-appreciated kookiness in her wake. The other one is still partying and creating serious change across the United States via Amtrak trains. They’re the epitome of cool. If your granny is still around, call her up and thank her for the following things that she did for you that you probably didn’t appreciate until much later. She’ll brush it off with her old school humility, but it will warm her heart. Here are the things your grandmother did for you that you probably didn’t appreciate until much later: 1. Your grandmother taught you old-school sass Research on humor in older adults finds that wit and the ability …

11 Signs You’re The Emotional Anchor Of Your Family, Even If No One Ever Said Thank You

11 Signs You’re The Emotional Anchor Of Your Family, Even If No One Ever Said Thank You

Published by Jenni Sidey

In many families, there’s one person who quietly holds things together emotionally. They’re the ones others call during difficult moments, the one who smooths over tension, and the ones who somehow stay steady when everyone else feels overwhelmed. This role rarely comes with a title, and it’s almost never formally acknowledged. It simply develops over time as family members begin to rely on the same person again and again. Psychologists sometimes describe this dynamic as emotional labor within families. The emotional anchor is the person who absorbs stress, provides reassurance, and keeps communication flowing even when things get complicated. While this role can be deeply meaningful, it can also be exhausting when it goes unnoticed. If you’ve ever felt like the emotional center of your family without anyone explicitly recognizing it, certain patterns in your relationships may look very familiar. These are 11 signs you’re the emotional anchor of your family, even if no one ever said thank you 1. Everyone comes to you when something goes wrong AnnaStills / Shutterstock When problems arise in …

Religiosity may protect against depression and stress by fostering gratitude and social support

Religiosity may protect against depression and stress by fostering gratitude and social support

Published by José Betancourt

An analysis of data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study found that religiosity may protect against depression and stress by fostering feelings of gratitude and social support. The research was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. Religiosity refers to the extent to which individuals hold religious beliefs, engage in religious practices, and integrate religion into their daily lives. It encompasses beliefs, behaviors (such as prayer or worship attendance), personal commitment, and identification with a religious community. A substantial body of research shows that religiosity is positively associated with psychological outcomes, such as higher life satisfaction and greater subjective well-being. Longitudinal and cross-cultural evidence indicates that these associations are modest but robust across different populations and cultural contexts. In psychology and public health, religiosity tends to be viewed as a potential protective factor for mental health. One key reason for this is that religious involvement can help individuals cope with stressful life events and derive meaning from adversity. According to some models of stress and coping, religiosity may influence well-being by shaping …

Glimmers, gratitude and curating your life: these 8 behaviours will make you feel happier

Glimmers, gratitude and curating your life: these 8 behaviours will make you feel happier

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the Well Enough newsletter with Harry Bullmore for tips on living a healthier, happier and longer life Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore If happiness feels elusive right now, you’re not imagining it. At this time of year, most of us are operating in a constant state of low-level overload – screens, notifications, comparison, economic pressure – while being sold increasingly unrealistic ideas of what “feeling good” is supposed to look like. The result? Happiness has become something people feel they’re failing at. Jules Von Hep, confidence coach and author of The Confidence Ritual, takes a very different approach. After two decades working in the beauty industry – often with people at their most vulnerable, undressed in a spray tan booth – he is less interested in mindset hacks and far more interested in consistent daily behaviours that, little by little, can change how we see ourselves and dramatically alter our self esteem and happiness levels. “Confidence isn’t a personality trait,” he says. “It’s …

Psychology study reveals how gratitude can backfire on your social standing

Psychology study reveals how gratitude can backfire on your social standing

Published by José Betancourt

Public expressions of gratitude are generally viewed as positive social glue that strengthens relationships and signals warmth. However, new research suggests that offering effusive thanks may come with a hidden cost to one’s perceived social standing. A series of studies indicates that when individuals express intense gratitude, observers often view them as having lower status and power relative to the person they are thanking. This research was published in Social Psychological and Personality Science. Social scientists have historically emphasized the benefits of gratitude. It creates social bonds and signals that a person is friendly and responsive. Many organizations even institutionalize this practice through “gratitude walls” or dedicated communication channels to foster a positive culture. The authors of the current study wanted to investigate a potential downside regarding how competence and influence are perceived. They noted that while gratitude signals warmth, it might also signal a lack of agency. Agency refers to traits like competence, assertiveness, and control. In social hierarchies, individuals with higher rank typically possess more agency and control over resources. Because high-ranking individuals …