Harvard Health reported in an article that giving thanks can make you happier. They note that being grateful makes you feel more positive emotions:
“In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships”.
The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness. In some ways, gratitude encompasses all of these meanings.
What we are grateful for?
1. Family.
Whether they’re your blood relatives or the friends you consider family, they’re worth expressing gratitude for. Remind your parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, kids, grandkids, aunts, uncles, or cousins how appreciative you are of them.
2. Friends.
These are the people that pick you up on the bad days and celebrate with you on the good days.
3. Home.
The place you can always go when there’s nowhere else to go. It’s a comforting feeling having our own apartment or house.
4. Your wellness.
We all have our problems with our bodies. But be glad for all the things that are still working well with your body and mind.
5. Pets.
Having a dog was one of the greatest joys of my life. If you have a dog, a cat, or some other pet, feel good that you can spend time with them anytime you want.
6. Waking up.
As we all know, some people don’t wake up to see another day. Be grateful that you did and those that you care about did as well.
7. Making it to the end of the day.
One of the things I always reminded myself during difficult days was to just make it to the end of the day. I was and still am grateful whenever I can do that.
8. Kindness.
It may seem like there are meaner people in this world today, but there are still people that are kind. Be grateful for the kindness you receive, and the acts of kindness that still happen every single day.
9. Deep conversations.
It’s nice to get into a conversation when someone makes you think deeper about things.
10. Life challenges.
Our challenges help us to grow. They make us stronger and better able to live our lives.
11. Paid bills.
Sometimes people reach a point where they can’t pay their bills for the month and their whole world is about to fall apart. It’s a blessing you can count if you can still pay your bills.
12. Making someone laugh.
When you make someone laugh, you make them feel good for a moment in their day. When we make people feel good, we make ourselves feel good too. Be glad when you can do that.
13. Faith.
It’s an inspiring force in our lives, for those of us who are faith-minded. If you are, have gratitude for faith’s influence and inspiration in your life.
14. Your favorite dessert.
My favorite deserts are brownies and cookies. I’m always glad to enjoy those. Be glad to enjoy your favorite dessert
15. Being able to trust someone.
You may have had a tough time trusting people throughout your life. Be glad if you now have someone you can completely trust.
I have the feeling that I am missing a lot of thing we can thank for, but starting simple can help us to appreciate life. Remember little thing are sometimes the real miracle in life. Stop for a minute (or two) and take a look around you, give thanks and keep going!!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
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