The following article appeared as an Op-Ed piece in the Southtown Star Newspaper on Sunday, November 18, 2007 . . .
Psychological researcher Michael E. McCullough has done numerous studies on the effects of gratitude. In a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, McCullough and Robert Emmons write, “Results suggest that a conscious focus on blessings may have emotional and interpersonal benefits.”
That’s a fancy way of saying: it’s good to be thankful. Many other studies on thankfulness and gratitude have come to similar conclusions.
In fact, there are studies which suggest that being grateful improves learning, increases happiness, improves negotiation skills, increases the length of life, decreases headaches and can even help with allergy attacks. I know, it probably sounds like I’m overstating the positive effects of gratitude, but these are actual research findings. It seems that being thankful is really good for us. And it’s good for others, too.
When we express a word of thanks to others it inspires and encourages. Many of us have been on the receiving end of a sincere expression of thanks and found that it made our whole day—heck, it might have even made our week. Genuine words of thanks can help to build and strengthen relationships. Try telling your spouse something that you really appreciate about him/her. Really. Try it. See what happens. I predict that it will be good—after the initial response of “What do you want from me?”
When we take a moment to think of the ways that we have been blessed, we see ourselves as connected. We realize that we are not self-made but, rather, that we are a part of a larger whole, a community. Thankfulness helps us to see ourselves in a more connected and, therefore, more honest, healthy and complete way.
Thankfulness also helps us to see life as good and positive for the obvious reason that it focuses on what is right and helpful and good and hopeful. This is not just a form of “positive thinking”, because true gratitude calls for us to do something. It calls for us to communicate our gratitude by writing it down or saying it out loud to someone.
I think, sometimes, it’s easier to focus on negative things. It’s easier to complain and find fault. Griping seems to come way too easily to me. But most of us, if we will be honest with ourselves, have many things to be thankful for. Even those of us who truly have difficulties and troubles and problems probably have some blessings in our lives. So, why not try being thankful?
Tell a few folks how thankful you are to have them in your life.
Take out a notebook and write down some of the blessings in your life.
It won’t really cost you anything to express gratitude in these ways. And there could be a terrific up-side.
I hope true gratefulness is part of your Thanksgiving.
Dan Marler
First Church of God
Oak Lawn, IL
www.VisitUsOnline.org
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