Give Thanks- it's Good For You!
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, that wonderful feast day that has its origin in the Puritan tradition of giving thanks for a good harvest. The Puritans weren’t the first in this regard. Many religious and societal traditions are based on the concept of gratitude.
What all these traditions may or may not have known is that recent scientific studies point to a direct link between gratitude and a deep satisfaction with life. Not only is it good to give thanks, it is good for you to do so!
In his research on gratitude, Professor Robert Emmons came up with some very interesting and illuminating results about thankfulness. In a study at the University of California at Davis, Professor Emmons found that people, who kept gratitude journals on a weekly basis exercised more regularly, reported
fewer physical symptoms felt better about their lives as a whole, and were more optimistic about the upcoming week compared to those who recorded hassles or neutral life events.
In addition, participants who kept the journals were more likely to make progress toward their personal goals in life.
The study also notes that people with a strong disposition toward gratitude have the capacity to be empathetic and more in tune with the perspective of others. Book a Psychic Reading with Laura: Book Now Grateful individuals were shown to place less importance on material goods; they are less likely to judge their own and others' success in terms of possessions accumulated; they are less envious of wealthy people; and are more likely to share their possessions with others relative to less grateful people.
If the practice of gratitude is so beneficial to our overall well-being, how can we learn to cultivate it more?
Well, the type of gratitude we normally experience when we see others who are less fortunate than ourselves is not enough. If it were, we would all be much happier as we are presented with evidence of the suffering of others every day. What we need to do instead is to look directly at our own lives to be truly thankful and thereby reap the benefits of gratitude.
The concept of gratitude is directly related to the idea of the power of positive thinking. Concentrating on what we do have versus what we don’t have is the key. Reminding ourselves daily of all the good things, large and small, that come our way keeps us grounded in gratitude instead of want.
At any given moment during the day, we can stop in the moment and be thankful. Keeping a record of these moments by journaling is recommended by the Professor.
When life becomes overwhelming we can look back at our musings and see just how lucky we really are.
The study further showed that a daily gratitude intervention (self-guided exercises) with young adults resulted in higher reported levels of positive states of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, attentiveness, and energy, Compared to a focus on hassles or a downward social comparison (ways in which participants thought they were better off than others.) There was no difference in levels of unpleasant emotions reported within the three groups.
It is important to learn to be grateful for the little joys in our lives. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing there is a moment you can stop, appreciate, and be thankful.
For instance, I live on the lovely Island of Oahu on a hillside with a view of the lush Kualoa Mountains. Sitting here on my porch, on a warm sunny day sipping coffee with my little dog at my side as the trade winds gently rustle my hair is one of those little joys I am so very thankful for. These are the little moments that we can become attuned to in gratitude.
There are hundreds of such moments in any given week if we are mindful of them. They add up and build upon one another to create a more centered, content, and positive perspective on life.
The research showed that grateful people do not deny or ignore the negative aspects of life. Having a perspective of gratitude gifts us with a greater capacity to handle life’s challenges. Our attitude can determine how effective we are in coping with what life throws in our path. Our perspective on life determines our reality. Book a Psychic Reading with Laura: Book Now
If we approach things with a perspective grounded in say, the belief that life is unfair- then everything that happens will seem unfair. But as we practice gratitude, we are endowed with its gifts of optimism and the necessary energy required to handle our lives.
How can you start to practice gratitude?
Begin with the art of mindfulness, being present in the moment. Notice all the little things that surround you, things you might take for granted if you hadn’t stopped to look. Offer acknowledgment of these small gifts- much like my moment on a warm and peaceful porch with my little dog. Write them down in a gratitude journal.
The little things make up the fabric of our days, our months, and our years. Often we hardly notice them because we are so caught up in the task of living. As they say, stop and smell the roses.
Take the time to consider what you have been given in life. Are you blessed with financial security? Do you have a supportive and loving mate? Do you have loving children? A supportive family? A nice home? Are you in good health? Do you enjoy your work? Do you have wonderful friends? What does nature give to you?
Concentrate on what you do have and not what you lack.
Maybe you’re looking at this list and saying “I have none of these things- my life sucks!
Does it really? Isn’t there something good you can be grateful for; perhaps just the fact that your ticker, like your old car is still working? Or the bus came on time today and was extra quick in getting you where you needed to be. Or simply that the birds sounded lovely outside your window this morning. These are silver linings worthy of being noticed and jotted down in a gratitude journal. They are worthy of your thanks.
Is gratitude only about our lives and the things that we receive? Not at all, the act of giving back to the world has much the same effect as gratitude. Interestingly enough, Emmons's study found that participants in the daily gratitude group were more likely to report having helped someone with a personal problem or having offered emotional support to another. The act of gratitude and the act of giving back therefore reinforce each other and lead to the inevitable …more fulfilling, meaningful, and happy lives.
So This Thanksgiving Give Thanks!
Gratitude is a part of our soul, one we often forget to display in our daily lives, but it need not be forgotten. Start practicing gratitude today.
Pull out a notebook and write down just one thing. Commit to adding to this journal every day. A good time might be before bedtime when you have time to reflect back on your day. Think of all the good things that occurred. Perhaps a brief but meaningful exchange with a child or a friend, maybe a great cup of coffee.
Just think, when you put down your pen and paper, you might just go to sleep a little easier. Yet another thing to be grateful for!
Thanks for reading groundedpsychic.com I am so very Thankful to all of you!
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