Thanksgiving

Being thankful and expressing gratitude may be one of the simplest ways to feel better and improve relationships. Gratitude is thankful appreciation for what you receive from someone- tangible or intangible. The simple process of acknowledging the goodness in our lives is beneficial. The goodness lies in part, outside of ourselves. This helps us connect to something larger than ourselves. In psychological research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. It helps us improve health, cope with challenges and adversity, and build strong relationships. You can be thankful about your past by focusing on positive memories and past blessings. You can be thankful about your present by noticing and expressing appreciation to others. You can be thankful about the future by choosing to think hopeful and optimistic thoughts. A research study by Emmons and McCullough, had one group of people write about things they were grateful for that had occurred during the week and another group write about the irritations that had displeased them during the week and a control group. After 10 weeks, those who wrote about gratitude measured more optimistic and felt better about their lives. They also exercised more and had fewer Dr. visits. Another study by Seligman, found that those who wrote and personally delivered a letter of gratitude to someone exhibited a significant increase in happiness and the benefits lasted for a month. In a period of significant transition in my life, I did this and found it immensely rewarding. How can you cultivate gratitude in your day and week?