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Gratitude
Circles for Your Brains By Joyce Shaffer, PhD The Thanksgiving holiday that we recently
celebrated in the United States, always brings us hope and joy. It’s been an American tradition to gather ‘round
the feast of plenty to celebrate a good harvest. We’ve included
gratitude for family, friends, being alive, and, for most of us,
having a job. Now we can add to our rich harvest! Gratitude doesn’t happen in a vacuum. As you feel
it welling up inside you, you’re moved to share this with others in
word and/or deed. You thank those who’ve done you good! And you let
others know what the champion did. As you express your gratitude, everyone benefits.
Researchers found that when gratitude is put into words, it can be
good for the giver and the receiver! In fact, researchers suggest
that a focus on gratitude can prolong high levels of wellbeing, more
happiness, better sleep, less stress, greater goal attainment, less
depression, improved self-esteem, increased generosity, and more
loving feelings between people. A Gallup survey found that more than 90% of teens
and adults in America were “extremely happy” or “somewhat happy” as
a result of expressing gratitude. Is this the best possible example
of “What goes ‘round comes ‘round?” These endless circles of
gratitude could improve the welfare of all. How to do it? Studies suggest at least two
activities can have enduring benefits. List good
things that happened today. Each evening just prior to bed time, write down
two or more good things that happened that day. Also write down what
you think accounted for these happening. Examples might include: I woke up this morning … because I have good
sleep habits. I’m over 18 and ambulatory … because I have good
health habits. The weather was perfect for bicycling … because I
have the gear for all conditions. Life is good … because I am noticing and
appreciating the positives in the world. I lived life to the fullest today by
(fill in the blank) .
This happened because I know life is short so I did my personal
best. Write,
deliver and read a gratitude letter. Think of an individual you want to thank for good
deeds they have done. Write them a letter with all of your emotions
about their helpfulness. Without telling them why you want to meet,
ask for a time to take tea. Then read your letter to them with full
expression of all your feelings. Be accepting of their emotions in
response. Leave a copy of the letter with them. After doing this,
research subjects reported increased happiness that endured for a
month! As an example, when my brother, Charles, visited
home while in the Navy, he asked how applications were going for
school. I told him I would not be applying because I did not have
money. His immediate reply was: “You tell me how much it will cost
for the three years of training and I will send the money.” Reading
my gratitude letter to him and leaving him a laminated copy was
lovely for both of us. Without his loan, I might still be on the
farm with a high school diploma. About the
author: Joyce Shaffer, PhD, is a psychologist, nurse, speaker,
global bicyclist and author of Ideal Aging®: 5 Steps to Keep Your
Brain Fit. |
