Are you looking for the secret
to better sleep, increased creativity, better relationships, and improved
immunity? Most people are…
to better sleep, increased creativity, better relationships, and improved
immunity? Most people are…
Would you believe me if I told
you that this amazingly, transformative product could be yours for free?
you that this amazingly, transformative product could be yours for free?
Oh, and did I mention that you
probably won’t have to break a sweat to reap its benefits? Can you guess what
it is?
probably won’t have to break a sweat to reap its benefits? Can you guess what
it is?
Gratitude.
Yes, it all comes down to gratitude…
It turns out that your mother
was right about the importance of saying “thank you,” but it goes much deeper
than that. A quick Google search will reveal hundreds of pages of published research
on the myriad health benefits of gratitude.
was right about the importance of saying “thank you,” but it goes much deeper
than that. A quick Google search will reveal hundreds of pages of published research
on the myriad health benefits of gratitude.
Actually, it makes perfect sense
that people who express their appreciation would feel more connected with
others. It also follows that showing gratitude would lower one’s levels of
immune-suppressing stress hormones, causing the person to think clearer, sleep
better, and catch fewer cold bugs; but it is nice to see the scientific
community validate that thinking.
that people who express their appreciation would feel more connected with
others. It also follows that showing gratitude would lower one’s levels of
immune-suppressing stress hormones, causing the person to think clearer, sleep
better, and catch fewer cold bugs; but it is nice to see the scientific
community validate that thinking.
The best thing about gratitude
is that it always seems to be followed by a little joy-chaser. That’s why it
has so many positive health benefits. Think for just a moment about the last
time you felt genuinely thankful for someone or something… Now, isn’t just a
smidgen of happiness mixed in with those feelings of appreciation? Of course,
the two go hand-in-hand.
is that it always seems to be followed by a little joy-chaser. That’s why it
has so many positive health benefits. Think for just a moment about the last
time you felt genuinely thankful for someone or something… Now, isn’t just a
smidgen of happiness mixed in with those feelings of appreciation? Of course,
the two go hand-in-hand.
Developing an attitude of
gratitude is fairly straightforward, and you can start out small, if you need
to. Begin by thanking the checker at the grocery store or the barista serving
you coffee, for example. Just be sure the thank you is sincere.
gratitude is fairly straightforward, and you can start out small, if you need
to. Begin by thanking the checker at the grocery store or the barista serving
you coffee, for example. Just be sure the thank you is sincere.
You can also build the gratitude
habit by taking a few minutes each day to appreciate yourself, your life, and
those around you – perhaps record your thoughts in a journal.
habit by taking a few minutes each day to appreciate yourself, your life, and
those around you – perhaps record your thoughts in a journal.
As expressing thanks becomes a
habit, it will become easier to show gratitude in less than ideal
circumstances, such as when your kids are arguing, or not following directions.
(That’s when you get to be grateful that you’re the parent, so you can bring
some order.)
habit, it will become easier to show gratitude in less than ideal
circumstances, such as when your kids are arguing, or not following directions.
(That’s when you get to be grateful that you’re the parent, so you can bring
some order.)
If you’re having trouble finding
something to be grateful for in any given situation, take a few moments to get
silent and pray about it. Sometimes, it’s simply a matter of allowing yourself
to see it through new eyes.
something to be grateful for in any given situation, take a few moments to get
silent and pray about it. Sometimes, it’s simply a matter of allowing yourself
to see it through new eyes.
Every situation, no matter how
bleak it appears, offers its own opportunities. I know from experience that
those possibilities might not be readily apparent, and it can be tempting to
throw a great big pity party. (I’ve got to admit, I’ve hosted some pretty
spectacular galas for myself…) Of course, if you are in crisis, you need to
take stock of your situation, and acknowledge your feelings, but then you need
to move on. Lingering over the issue doesn’t serve you. Now, open your eyes to
the opportunity.
bleak it appears, offers its own opportunities. I know from experience that
those possibilities might not be readily apparent, and it can be tempting to
throw a great big pity party. (I’ve got to admit, I’ve hosted some pretty
spectacular galas for myself…) Of course, if you are in crisis, you need to
take stock of your situation, and acknowledge your feelings, but then you need
to move on. Lingering over the issue doesn’t serve you. Now, open your eyes to
the opportunity.
The key is to always remember
that you are at choice: You choose how you will view each situation, and you
choose how you will respond to it.
that you are at choice: You choose how you will view each situation, and you
choose how you will respond to it.
Aware and appreciative that it
is unfolding exactly as it should, I am grateful for my life, and all of the
people who are in it.
is unfolding exactly as it should, I am grateful for my life, and all of the
people who are in it.