Giving Thanks Can Change Your Life

Many days, I try to have a 2-5 minute gratitude session. I simply sit or lay, with no distractions, close my eyes, and think about what I’m grateful for and who I’m grateful for.

I don’t do it every day, but let me tell you, on the days I do it; it makes me very happy and very hopeful. It can change completely the way I feel that day. It turns bed things into good things and it reminds me of what’s important. It works like a reset button for my emotions.

Research conducted by U.S. psychologists in recent years suggests that gratitude is one of the strongest feelings that make people happier and can change their attitude about life.

Scientists are not only trying to prove that gratitude works, but also they are trying to determine neurochemical processes behind this emotion, as well as the best way of expressing gratitude.

Professor of psychology at the University of Miami Michael McCullough studied the people who have all been asked to regularly express gratitude.

He says that “when you are stopping and counting your blessings, you are sort of hijacking your emotional system”.

He adds that earlier psychologists underestimated the force of simple gratitude: "It does make people happier ... It's that incredible feeling."

One of the reasons for gratitude to act so well is because it connects us to other people, and therefore expression of gratitude should be more emotional and personal.

Gratitude journals or diaries, in which people list every week or every evening things they are grateful for are becoming a regular therapy tools.

It is important that people in their journals devote more attention to others whose presence they are grateful for, says another psychology professor, Robert Emmons.

Prof. Emmons says that people should imagine how their life would be like without the good things - especially people such as spouses - and how much they are grateful that those people are in their lives.

Grateful people feel more alert, more alive, more interested, feel more enthusiasm and connection to others, thinks Prof. Emmons.

Emmons believes that gratitude also relieves stress. It is less likely for grateful people to feel envy, anger, discontent, regret and other unpleasant feelings that cause stress.

So, Be Thankful.

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.
~ Author Unknown ~

Count your blessings this holiday season. It’s good for you.:)

Thank you for reading, following and sharing this blog. If it weren’t for you, my readers, I wouldn’t be inspired to share my thoughts here. You inspire me to inspire you. I am grateful for you.