Today, we celebrate World Gratitude Day in many ways by thanking all the blessings, opportunity, and family. This day is observed annually on September 21st.
Every day, we experience joy, and happiness in our life, despite all the problems and hurdles in life. We may not have everything, but we should take time to appreciate and be thankful for what we have. Show gratefulness to people who gave us every little thing that made a difference, be thankful for the job we have, the love and the family, the roof on our heads, the food we eat, the clothes we wear, just be thankful for all the blessings that were given to us.
On this day, we can also encourage others to practice appreciation, no matter how big or small of favor, by simply saying “thank you”. Saying thank you is music to the heart of a receiver. I grew up and able to attend school with all the financial help my godmother “aka” aunt gave me, and how grateful I was for helping me, and I always say “thank you”, no matter what, which made her day and smile, no matter how small it was. It was the essence of her life that she was able to help and so grateful to hear that she was truly appreciated.
Originating in the mid-1960s at an international gathering, World Gratitude Day may just be gaining the momentum it deserves. In a world seeking genuine human connection, gratitude is an expression that ‘ripples out’ says Dr. Lisa Williams, senior lecturer in psychology at The University of New South Wales in Australia, adding, someone who receives gratitude is more likely to reciprocate it and act to the benefit of others.
So, today, let us join the world in celebrating this day by encouraging others to express and share all the things they are grateful for. Be thankful for the simplest blessing you experience in life, big or small. Be thankful for your health, happiness, for the family you have, or even the simplest pleasure like eating a delicious piece of the pie. Share on social media what are you thankful for this day using #WorldGratitudeDay.
1999 Earthquake kills thousands in Taiwan
An earthquake in Taiwan on September 21, 1999, kills thousands of people, causes billions of dollars in damages and leaves an estimated 100,000 homeless. It was the worst earthquake to hit Taiwan since a 1935 tremor that killed 3,200 people.
At 1:47 on the morning of September 21, with most people eagerly awaiting the annual Autumn Festival, the island nation of Taiwan was shaken awake by a 7.6-magnitude earthquake. The tremor was centered in central Taiwan along the west coast near Nantou and Taichung, but serious damage was found throughout the island. Roads buckled and landslides diverted rivers, causing the impromptu formation of lakes. To make things even worse, there were five aftershocks measuring at least 6.0 in magnitude in the 30 minutes following the major quake.
Buildings all over the island proved to be vulnerable. A 12-story hotel in Taipei was completely destroyed. A 14-story building in Dongshi was toppled. The quake exposed the fact that much shoddy construction had occurred during Taiwan’s construction boom in the 1990s. The worst-hit area was Tungshih, where virtually every building was damaged and the population of 60,000 was left without electricity, water or telephone service.
(excerpted from https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/earthquake-kills-thousands-in-taiwan)
