It is not happy people who are thankful, it is thankful people who are happy. Gratitude is the quality of being thankful or the readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. According to Harvard Medical School, giving thanks during the holidays can greatly improve one’s mental health. In their research, gratitude is strongly associated with happiness. This helps people become more positive, build relationships, and improve mental health. In the crazy world we live in, it’s sometimes difficult to discern what we are grateful for, but some of our classmates were willing to share their thoughts. 

Freshman, Grace Thorez shares what she is grateful for. “I am grateful for friendship.”  We can all agree that having a close circle of friends is important.  

While many of us are grateful for friends and teammates, sophomore Nolan Mattson’s gratitude comes from home.  “I’m grateful for my family,” he shares.  

For junior Connor Haire, gratitude spans a little wider yet: “I am grateful for my family, friends, and all of the amazing people I get to see every day here at Concord”.  Given that Haire just joined our CHS family this year, we’re impressed by his gratefulness for our school community.

Senior Lauren Gray shares what she’s grateful for: “I am grateful for family, friends, nature, and being able to travel to beautiful places.” 

Mrs. Teresa Couling, our secretary here has a welcoming, helpful, and bubbly personality. She says, “I am grateful for TIME! Spending time with my family has always been very important to me, but even more so after losing my brother this past year from a stroke at the young age of 49.  This has made me reflect on how important time is with family, not knowing when your last day on earth will be.  I have made sure my girls know how proud of them I am and try to spend extra special time with… my new granddaughter and my husband, and more importantly just to sit back and enjoy all the chit-chatting and laughing moments with them.  I have also tried to make it a point to be in contact more with friends and family that live close by and out of state, cherishing time spent on a phone call or time meeting up for dinner.  I remind myself often that tomorrow is not always promised and to make TIME today special.”   Mrs. Couling has a lot of wisdom and expresses that in all her interactions with students and co-workers. 

Gratitude is a way for people to appreciate what they have instead of always reaching for something new, thinking it will make them happier.  As we all head off for the Thanksgiving holiday, remember that “gratitude turns what we have to enough.” -Aesop