gratitude is...

my last blog i wrote about forgiveness and how it helps your mental health, this one is all about gratitude. in health communication this week, i learned that the more you express your gratitude, the happier you are. positive psychology shows that grateful and happier people live longer. 

who doesn't want to live longer? 

this study, done by the University of Miami and super interesting results: 

One group wrote about things they were grateful for that had occurred during the week. A second group wrote about daily irritations or things that had displeased them, and the third wrote about events that had affected them (with no emphasis on them being positive or negative). After 10 weeks, those who wrote about gratitude were more optimistic and felt better about their lives. Surprisingly, they also exercised more and had fewer visits to physicians than those who focused on sources of aggravation.

another study showed that romantic partners who express gratitude have a greater satisfaction than those who do not. think about it, when was the last time you genuinely thanked your s.o.? and not just because they brought you soup when you were sick, but really said thank you for working hard or being a good listener. i know i need improve.

elder uchtdorf posed the question: 

have we not reason to be filled with gratitude, regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in?

i'll answer...

YES

trials come, they do, and i'm not saying you can't acknowledge the bad, because there is plenty of bad. but there is always, always, ALWAYS something to be grateful for. trust me, i've had my fair share of earthly roadblocks, but i find that it's easier to deal with my struggles when i remember how blessed i truly am.

can't think of anything?

here are a couple of great prompts to get you started:

http://livewellwithsharonmartin.com/the-power-of-gratitude-30-days-of-gratitude-journal-prompts/
https://localadventurer.com/52-weeks-of-gratitude-challenge-complete/
http://goodthingsrealized.com/25-more-gratitude-journal-prompts/

even better than BEING grateful is expressing gratitude.

 

this awesome video shows why: 

so that's it. i challenge you to be more grateful, not jut in attitude, but expression of it.

can't think of anyone to be thankful for? let me get you started

mom
dad
spouses
sibling
cousins
grandparents
#allthefamily
friends
coworkers
high school teachers
high school coaches
college professors
the lady who gave you a parking spot
the mailman
firefighters
police officers
city workers
garbage truck drivers

seriously, so many people to be thankful for.

challenge: be grateful, express gratitude, and then record your feelings.

ready, set, go.