We live in a world that seems to run at a dizzying speed. We are constantly immersed in an incessant flow of information, expectations and goals to achieve. These daily demands often overwhelms us, leading us to live automatically, without really perceiving what is happening around us.

We get caught up in a whirlwind of frenzy, forgetting to stop and appreciate the little things that represent an essential foundation on which to build our happiness and well-being.

How many times, for example, in the morning, do we wake up and make a coffee without paying attention? Instead of living that moment to the fullest, we often consider it just a necessary step before diving into our daily activities.

But what if we stopped for a moment to smell the aroma of coffee wafting through the room? Or to appreciate the warmth of the cup in our hands and the awakening that the first sip gives us?

By choosing to realize how privileged we are  to be able to enjoy a hot coffee every day, perhaps immersed in the tranquility of our homes or experiencing the welcome of a bar, we begin to nourish a feeling of gratitude towards this simple, yet precious, daily experience.

Often, we become so accustomed to the things we have—a roof over our heads, loving company, health—that they end up taking for granted.The familiar becomes invisible, and we lose the ability to appreciate it.

The fragility of life, however, teaches us that everything can change in an instant.

What we take for granted today may not be accessible tomorrow, and this reminds us of the importance of recognizing and appreciating every single moment and every single gift.

Even our ability to experience the beauty of everyday life, like a walk in the park, is not guaranteed. When we walk, how often are we present to what is around us—the birds singing, the scent of flowers, or the simple privilege of moving freely?

The idea of losing all of this can push us to seriously reflect on how precious what we have is and to renew our sense of gratitude every day.

Even in the workplace, we can practice gratitude. Every smile exchanged, every gesture of help, every word of encouragement we receive are gifts to be recognized and appreciated.

Training ourselves to notice and value these small gestures not only enriches our personal experience, but contributes to creating a positive and collaborative work environment. Including the expression of gratitude in our work routines, for example through recognizing colleagues' successes, even if small, can strengthen interpersonal bonds, foster a sense of belonging, and motivate everyone to work harder.

The emotions we feel in relation to small things profoundly affect our mood and our quality of life. Gratitude, in particular, is a powerful emotion that can lift our spirits, making us happier and more satisfied.

It is a complex emotion that involves the ability to recognize and appreciate not only the good things we have, but also the acts of kindness towards us. According to various research, including that of Emmons and Mishra (2011), gratitude can act at the neuronal level, engaging specific areas of our brain, such as the anterior cingulate cortex, the medial prefrontal cortex, and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, with the potential to generate significant synaptic changes and cognitive improvements.

Practicing gratitude, not as an isolated act, but as a habit of life, can profoundly transform our well-being and our effectiveness, because it leads us to reflect on the relationships we build, on the impact of others on us and on our place in the world, thus building more awareness, nourishing empathy and feeding other pleasant emotions, such as serenity, joy, hope. race, providing us with the key to positive and proactive prospects.

Let us, therefore, take a step back from the frenzy and treat ourselves to observing the world around us: we will find in it many reasons to smile and want to build.