The German theologian, Meister Eckhart, is quoted as saying, “If the only prayer you said in your whole life was ‘thank you’ that would suffice.” True thankfulness is not merely being grateful when presents are received but being thankful for what is, as it is.
New Research Supports Thankfulness for Good Health
Marci Shimoff, author of Happy for No Reason: Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out, spent time with 100 happy people and learned that they had a common factor in their lives. They tended to concentrate on the good in a situation and on improving it. This selected group of 100 had the same painful experiences, everyday problems, fears and disappointments in life but focused on gratitude. When problems occurred in their lives, they focused on the positives. Instead of focusing on what they lost, they focused on what they have.
What is Gratitude?
Gratitude is often viewed as being thankful for what is received. But, it is actually the act of being aware of and thankful for those things in our lives that are good to us or for us. Studies in the past ten years have shown that those who tend to be thankful have more energy, are more optimistic and more social. An enhanced attitude of gratitude can improve not only psychological well-being but also emotional and physical well-being. Optimists that look on the bright side of life are less likely to be:
- depressed
- envious
- greedy
- alcoholics
They are also:
- less likely to become ill
- sleep better
- exercise more often
- earn more money
So, it seems that being grateful produces more things for which to be grateful.
Grateful Children Reap Rewards
What about children that look at the glass as half full? Current research shows that children and adolescents reap rewards from being optimistic. A recent article in The New York Times stated that grateful children tend to be:
- less materialistic
- get better grades
- set higher goals
- complain of fewer headaches
- have fewer stomach aches
- more satisfied with friends, family and school
Dr. Jeffrey J. Froh, an assistant professor of psychology at Hofstra University (New York's largest private college), participated in a study with colleagues. The results stated that high school students who are "materialistic" tend to have:
- lower grades
- higher levels of envy
- less satisfaction with life
In contrast, students that counted their blessings had more friends and higher grade point averages.
Jack Canfield, the founder of the book Chicken Soup for the Soul, says that having an attitude of gratitude is nothing more than making a conscious decision to appreciate and acknowledge those things with which you’ve already been blessed. Motivational speaker, Zig Ziegler once stated that of all the attitudes we can acquire, surely the attitude of gratitude is the most important, and by far the most life-changing.
Five Steps to Developing an Attitude of Gratitude
When bad luck occurs, how can a positive attitude be acquired? How does one develop a strong attitude of gratitude?
1. Keep a Journal. Take the time to write down the things you are grateful for each day. Write details. A child may be grateful to have a dog. However, what should be written down is, “I am grateful for my dog running to greet me after school” or “I am grateful for my dog keeping me company when I’m lonely.”
2. Carry a Reminder. A small, polished rock can be carried in a coat pocket or slacks. When someone reaches into a coat pocket for the car keys, fingers will brush against the polished rock. This is a trigger for thinking of gratitude for something.
3. Watch What You Say. It is easy to complain and join in when someone else complains. Speaking negatively about someone or putting self down can make being optimistic a difficult task. Stay away from negative statements from any source.
4. Daily Focus. Before retiring for the evening, think of two or three positive things that happened during the day and focus on them. Try to ignore the negatives.
5. Accountability Buddies. Find a buddy that also wants to be grateful and exchange the positive lists. Keep the focus off self and on the things that are appreciated.
Children can be trained to look on the bright side on a daily basis. The results will be happier children with better grades, healthier, exercise more and more friends.
Source: Dr. Claudia Anrig
Barbara Pytel - Email me Experience Although I was never particularly fond of going to school as an ELL student, I ironically became a teacher, ...
