“It is not happiness that makes us grateful. It’s gratefulness that makes us happy” ~anonymous
“Gratitude will give you more patience, understanding, compassion, and kindness” ~anonymous
What are you grateful for? It can be something big, small, and/or personal. How about the gratitude you can have for your life and the people around you? Wouldn’t it be great to cause someone to feel “Overcome by joy”? Take note of something you appreciate. Stop to think about what giving others our gratitude does for us. It is not happiness that makes us grateful. It’s gratefulness that makes us happy.
A little bit of gratitude can go a very long way. It is important for people to feel appreciated. When dealing with people, take time and look at them, make eye contact… That little moment of connection is so pivotal to both people’s humanity and happiness.” Consider how it makes you feel when you have someone’s respect, appreciation, gratitude, and undivided attention.
With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives. As a result, gratitude also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals. “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.” (Martin Seligman)
Start keeping a gratitude journal. Keeping a gratitude journal has been shown to increase people’s sense of happiness by forcing them to acknowledge the happy and positive moments in their DAY. Write 3 blessings down; do something kind for someone; laugh intentionally; do something that brings you joy or joy to someone else, not only will you be grateful, you will feel the happiness that gratefulness brings. After all, it is Good Friday!
Out of all 24 character strengths (VIA Character Strengths – see my website under Resources), gratitude is the single best predictor of individual well-being. And, the great thing about gratitude is that it can be intentionally cultivated; gratitude is like a muscle - the more you practice it, the stronger it gets – and the more you’re able to reap its benefits.
There is no time like the present to be grateful and share some gratitude.
Happy Easter & Resurrection Sunday!
Coach Yourself
How can you best express your appreciation to someone else?
Best Wishes,
Tracy Diamond