It’s easy to forget to appreciate what we have. Yet what I’ve noticed from working at a cafe with an older demographic, or just talking to my grandparents, is how appreciative the older generation is.

My grandpa, Ray, grew up in tough circumstances, darkened by family mental health issues, but is the most appreciative person I know. We’ll be walking down the street, and randomly, he’ll say, “Well, aren’t we lucky?” Or we’ll be having a coffee, and mid-sentence will exclaim, “Well, isn’t this a gem moment”. And it is. It is a gem moment to be in the presence of someone so positive and grateful.

I’ve realised there’s much that can be learned from a generation that shows gratitude.Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

I admit I have a slight tendency to spiral into negativity. Why does my blood pressure spike when someone walks too slowly on the footpath? Or when I’m at work and a customer starts listing off five complicated modifications for their drink … before telling me what the actual drink is. I can’t put “extra hot, half almond, half oat, one pump vanilla, no foam” into the system if I don’t know it’s a........

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