{"id":54,"date":"2011-01-15T16:59:36","date_gmt":"2011-01-15T21:59:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mariasharrison.com\/?p=54"},"modified":"2011-01-15T16:59:36","modified_gmt":"2011-01-15T21:59:36","slug":"how-gratitude-can-change-your-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mariasharrison.com\/?p=54","title":{"rendered":"How Gratitude Can Change Your Life"},"content":{"rendered":"
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, the holiday that has its origin in the Puritan\u2019s tradition of giving thanks for a good harvest. \u00a0The Puritans weren\u2019t the first in this regard. \u00a0Many religious and societal traditions are based in the concept of gratitude. \u00a0What 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. \u00a0Not only is it good to give thanks, it is good for you to do so!<\/div>\n
In a study at the University of California at Davis, Professor Robert Emmons came up with some very interesting and illuminating results from his research project on gratitude and thankfulness. \u00a0Professor 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 towards their personal goals in life.<\/div>\n
The study also notes that people with a strong disposition toward gratitude have the capacity to be empathic and to take the perspective of others. Grateful individuals 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 persons; and are more likely to share their possessions with others relative to less grateful persons.<\/div>\n
If the practice of gratitude is so beneficial to our overall well-being, how can we learn to cultivate it more? \u00a0My gut feeling is that the type of gratitude we normally experience when we see others that are less fortunate than ourselves is not enough. \u00a0If it were, we would all be much happier as we are surrounded by evidence of the suffering of so many people in the world today. \u00a0It seems that we need to look directly at our own lives in order to be truly grateful and thereby reap the benefits of gratitude.<\/div>\n
The concept of gratitude is directly related to the idea of the power of positive thinking. \u00a0Concentrating on what we do have versus what we don\u2019t have seems to be the key. Reminding ourselves on a daily basis of all the things that come our way keeps us grounded in gratitude instead of want. \u00a0At any given moment during the day we can stop in the moment and be thankful. \u00a0Keeping a record of these moments, journaling, is what Professor Emmons recommends. \u00a0When life becomes overwhelming we can look back at our musings and see just how lucky we really are.<\/div>\n
Indeed, further results of the University of California\u2019s study show that a daily gratitude intervention (self-guided exercises) with young adults resulted in higher reported levels of the 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). \u00a0There was no difference in levels of unpleasant emotions reported in the three groups.<\/div>\n
As we are told not to sweat the small things so too can we be very grateful for the little joys in our lives. I just got back from running to school to drop-off something for my daughter. \u00a0Upon entering the house, which is warm and toasty compared to the rainy, cold day outside, I was greeted by my three dogs with tons of kisses and love. \u00a0They now lie by my feet as I type away. \u00a0The house is peaceful and quiet like my own personal sanctuary. \u00a0I glance out my windows and see nothing but the foliage that envelops my home. \u00a0These are the little moments that that we can become attuned to in gratitude. \u00a0There are hundreds of such moments in any given week if we are mindful of them. \u00a0They add up and build upon one another to create a more centered, content and positive perspective on life.<\/div>\n
Furthermore, the research reports that grateful people do not deny or ignore the negative aspects of life. \u00a0Again, my intuition tells me that given the perspective that gratitude gifts us, we are undoubtedly more equipped to handle life\u2019s challenges. \u00a0One\u2019s attitude can determine how effective one is in coping with what life throws in our direction. \u00a0Our perspective on life determines our reality. \u00a0If we approach things with a perspective grounded in say the belief that life is unfair, everything that turns up will look unfair. But as we practice gratitude, we are endowed with its gifts of optimism and the necessary energy required to take on our lives.<\/div>\n
How can you start to practice gratitude? \u00a0Begin with the art of mindfulness, being totally present in the moment. \u00a0Notice all the little things that surround you, things you might take for granted if you hadn\u2019t stopped to really look. \u00a0Offer acknowledgement of these small gifts much like my moment in a warm and peaceful home with my dogs. Write them down in a gratitude journal. \u00a0The little things make up the fabric of our days, our months, and our years. \u00a0Oftentimes we hardly notice them because we are so caught up in the task of living. \u00a0As they say, stop and smell the roses.<\/div>\n
Stop and consider what you have been given in life. \u00a0Are you blessed with financial security? \u00a0Do you have loving children, a supportive family? \u00a0A nice home? \u00a0Are you in good health? \u00a0Do you enjoy your work? \u00a0Do you have wonderful friends? \u00a0What does nature give to you? Do you have a supportive and loving mate? Concentrate on what you do have and not what you lack.<\/div>\n
Research also tells us that the act of giving back to the world has much the same effect as gratitude. \u00a0Interestingly enough, Emmons study also found that participants in the daily gratitude condition were more likely to report having helped someone with a personal problem or having offered emotional support to another. \u00a0The act of gratitude and the act of giving back therefore reinforce each other and lead to the inevitable \u2026more fulfilling, meaningful and happy lives.<\/div>\n
These are things that we all know to be true in the abstract and yet we can take them from the abstract into the specifics of our own existence. \u00a0Start practicing gratitude today. \u00a0Pull out a notebook and write down just one thing. \u00a0Commit to adding to this journal everyday. \u00a0A good time might be before bedtime when you have time to reflect back on your day. \u00a0Think of all the good things that occurred. \u00a0Perhaps a brief but meaningful exchange with a child or a friend. \u00a0Maybe a great cup of coffee. \u00a0 When you put down your pen and paper, you might just go to sleep easier. \u00a0That\u2019s yet something else for which to be grateful.<\/div>\n

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, the holiday that has its origin in the Puritan\u2019s tradition of giving thanks for a good harvest. \u00a0The Puritans weren\u2019t the first in this regard. \u00a0Many religious and societal traditions are based in the concept of gratitude. \u00a0What 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. \u00a0Not only is it good to give thanks, it is good for you to do so!In a study at the University of California at Davis, Professor Robert Emmons came up with some very interesting and illuminating results from his research project on gratitude and thankfulness. \u00a0Professor 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 towards their personal goals in life.The study also notes that people with a strong disposition toward gratitude have the capacity to be empathic and to take the perspective of others. Grateful individuals 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 persons; and are more likely to share their possessions with others relative to less grateful persons.If the practice of gratitude is so beneficial to our overall well-being, how can we learn to cultivate it more? \u00a0My gut feeling is that the type of gratitude we normally experience when we see others that are less fortunate than ourselves is not enough. \u00a0If it were, we would all be much happier as we are surrounded by evidence of the suffering of so many people in the world today. \u00a0It seems that we need to look directly at our own lives in order to be truly grateful and thereby reap the benefits of gratitude.The concept of gratitude is directly related to the idea of the power of positive thinking. \u00a0Concentrating on what we do have versus what we don\u2019t have seems to be the key. Reminding ourselves on a daily basis of all the things that come our way keeps us grounded in gratitude instead of want. \u00a0At any given moment during the day we can stop in the moment and be thankful. \u00a0Keeping a record of these moments, journaling, is what Professor Emmons recommends. \u00a0When life becomes overwhelming we can look back at our musings and see just how lucky we really are.Indeed, further results of the University of California\u2019s study show that a daily gratitude intervention (self-guided exercises) with young adults resulted in higher reported levels of the 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). \u00a0There was no difference in levels of unpleasant emotions reported in the three groups.As we are told not to sweat the small things so too can we be very grateful for the little joys in our lives. I just got back from running to school to drop-off something for my daughter. \u00a0Upon entering the house, which is warm and toasty compared to the rainy, cold day outside, I was greeted by my three dogs with tons of kisses and love. \u00a0They now lie by my feet as I type away. \u00a0The house is peaceful and quiet like my own personal sanctuary. \u00a0I glance out my windows and see nothing but the foliage that envelops my home. \u00a0These are the little moments that that we can become attuned to in gratitude. \u00a0There are hundreds of such moments in any given week if we are mindful of them. \u00a0They add up and build upon one another to create a more centered, content and positive perspective on life.Furthermore, the research reports that grateful people do not deny or ignore the negative aspects of life. \u00a0Again, my intuition tells me that given the perspective that gratitude gifts us, we are undoubtedly more equipped to handle life\u2019s challenges. \u00a0One\u2019s attitude can determine how effective one is in coping with what life throws in our direction. \u00a0Our perspective on life determines our reality. \u00a0If we approach things with a perspective grounded in say the belief that life is unfair, everything that turns up will look unfair. But as we practice gratitude, we are endowed with its gifts of optimism and the necessary energy required to take on our lives.How can you start to practice gratitude? \u00a0Begin with the art of mindfulness, being totally present in the moment. \u00a0Notice all the little things that surround you, things you might take for granted if you hadn\u2019t stopped to really look. \u00a0Offer acknowledgement of these small gifts much like my moment in a warm and peaceful home with my dogs. Write them down in a gratitude journal. \u00a0The little things make up the fabric of our days, our months, and our years. \u00a0Oftentimes we hardly notice them because we are so caught up in the task of living. \u00a0As they say, stop and smell the roses.Stop and consider what you have been given in life. \u00a0Are you blessed with financial security? \u00a0Do you have loving children, a supportive family? \u00a0A nice home? \u00a0Are you in good health? \u00a0Do you enjoy your work? \u00a0Do you have wonderful friends? \u00a0What does nature give to you? Do you have a supportive and loving mate? Concentrate on what you do have and not what you lack.Research also tells us that the act of giving back to the world has much the same effect as gratitude. \u00a0Interestingly enough, Emmons study also found that participants in the daily gratitude condition were more likely to report having helped someone with a personal problem or having offered emotional support to another. \u00a0The act of gratitude and the act of giving back therefore reinforce each other and lead to the inevitable \u2026more fulfilling, meaningful and happy lives.These are things that we all know to be true in the abstract and yet we can take them from the abstract into the specifics of our own existence. \u00a0Start practicing gratitude today. \u00a0Pull out a notebook and write down just one thing. \u00a0Commit to adding to this journal everyday. \u00a0A good time might be before bedtime when you have time to reflect back on your day. \u00a0Think of all the good things that occurred. \u00a0Perhaps a brief but meaningful exchange with a child or a friend. \u00a0Maybe a great cup of coffee. \u00a0 When you put down your pen and paper, you might just go to sleep easier. \u00a0That\u2019s yet something else for which to be grateful.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, the holiday that has its origin in the Puritan\u2019s tradition of giving thanks for a good harvest. \u00a0The Puritans weren\u2019t the first in this regard. \u00a0Many religious and societal traditions are based in the concept of gratitude. \u00a0What all these traditions may or may not have known is that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mariasharrison.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mariasharrison.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mariasharrison.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mariasharrison.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mariasharrison.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=54"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.mariasharrison.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":55,"href":"https:\/\/www.mariasharrison.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54\/revisions\/55"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mariasharrison.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=54"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mariasharrison.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=54"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mariasharrison.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=54"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}