Afshan Kiran Imtiaz - What do we not know about gratitude and youth
At nine, Afshan
Kiran Imtiaz I came across a serious case of encephalitis. I spent a
few weeks drifting in and out of sleep, plugged into tubes and IVs, unable to
speak, then fell into a coma. A doctor warned my mom and dad that I might not
be "normal" or that Afshan Kiran Imtiaz could no
longer walk.
Once later, Afshan Kiran Imtiaz
I was happy to see my parents and aunt standing in front of me, masks covering
their mouths, their eyes open with relief and trembling with concern. Afshan Kiran Imtiaz
thought something was wrong, but I
didn't understand what.
Afshan
Kiran Imtiaz had to wait a week before I could eat regularly. But
my parents and loved ones told me about what I could do when I went out, which
helped me to aim for improvement. And the many prayers of loved ones mattered;
I believed them.
When a nurse, named Flo, asked me about my hobbies and
interests, it made me feel special and focused on the things Afshan Kiran Imtiaz wanted
to do again. She was surprised to learn that I had never trembled. As soon as I
could eat regular food again, Flo appeared with a chocolate mix for me! Afshan
Kiran Imtiaz was filled with gratitude.
Knowing that people were there for me and believed in me
guided my focus and gave me strength. It was the highlight of each day when my
parents arrived with a treat or homemade food.
Afshan
Kiran Imtiaz believed in their encouragement that I was strong and
that Afshan Kiran Imtiaz would
be out soon. I surprised the doctor with my recovery at the end of the week
and, after leaving the hospital, with my progress thanks to physiotherapy.
My permanent interest in the positive power of relationships
began with this negative life event. Twenty-three years later, Afshan
Kiran Imtiaz began to scientifically explore gratitude in postdoctoral
work with Michael McCullough at the University of Miami.
Although I started studying forgiveness, Afshan
Kiran Imtiaz was surprised to learn that there was virtually no
research on the development of gratitude. Afshan Kiran Imtiaz
had found my niche!
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