Gratitude and Thanksgiving

Gratitude and Thanksgiving – A currently timely topic which shouldn’t be just for this time of year.  As a part of the growing field of positive psychology, scientists have been studying the effects of gratitude for a number of years with some interesting results.  Dr. Robert Emmons of University of California Davis and Michael McCullough, a University of Miami professor conducted a gratitude study that has been widely cited.  They found that, “Grateful people are happier, more optimistic, more satisfied with their lives.  They are more empathetic toward others.  We even have a bit of evidence that grateful people are viewed as kinder, more helpful and more supportive than less-grateful people.”  Subjects in the study practiced a daily exercise of writing down five (or more) things they were grateful for each day.  The results were that they became happier, had fewer health complaints, exercised more and increase their ability to reach out to support others. 

This research set me thinking.  What changes would be made if this practice became an opening exercise for Congress.  Would they be motivated to work together for the benefit of all of us?

The trick is to be able to become aware of the things we are truly grateful for while we still are aware of the problems or negativity (whether personal or global).  This is a choice we can make to improve our lives.  I’ve often heard that what we think is what we create.  Science seems to be supporting this notion.  I’m starting my Gratitude Journal today.  I hope you’ll start one too.  Our lives, our marriages, our families, our social interactions can all be improved by a big serving of gratitude for Thanksgiving dinner.

Judie Fouchaux