Gratitude Revisited

Tradition and ritual bring security to my life. I am passionate about the positive practice gratitude and the variety of ways we can express it.

Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to bring out all the gratitude practices. Last year I implemented the “Gratitude Tree”. I am setting it up today with joy in my heart, remembering the laughter and happiness we shared last year as we wrote a gratitude each day and hung it on our tree. We continued until we welcomed in the new year.

I listed my gratitude’s today in my journal and reviewed the first entry two years ago. I savored the memory of my Flourishing Skills Group writing our gratitude letters and sharing the power of that action. I love seeing our culture marketing items that say, “ thank you”, or “give thanks”, or “be thankful”.

I am empowered and encouraged to practice gratitude daily and enjoy these benefits supported by scientific research:

More satisfaction with life

More pro-social behavior

Better sleep and vitality

More optimism

Less “maladaptive self-preoccupation”

Less social comparison

Decreases stress by lowering heart rate variability

When I moved into my new home last summer I bought a wall hanging that says:

It is not happy people who are thankful; It is thankful people who are happy.

This serves as my daily reminder of the truth of gratitude.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

All this is to your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 4:15