I’ve had several conversations over the past couple
of weeks in which the discussion very naturally turned to gratitude. I didn’t
suggest the topic or force the topic it simply came up on its own.
When the topic arose, my friends communicated this
basic message to me: “I’m grateful for certain things in my life.”
I recognize this to be a very good attitude on the
part of my friends. In fact, in recent years there has been serious academic
research on the subject of happiness and it is now known that being grateful
increases a person’s happiness.
Want to be happier? Be grateful for the good things
you already have in your life.
Gratitude improves happiness because gratitude
involves intentionally noticing and acknowledging good, positive, beneficial
things in our lives. It makes sense that noticing good things in our lives
would increase our happiness, doesn’t it? Some of the books on the subject of
happiness even recommend keeping a gratitude journal as a specific action a
person could take to increase happiness.
Even when I have difficulties and challenges going
on in my life, I do not have to think too hard to come up with many legitimate
reasons for being grateful. I suspect that is true for you, too.
Most of us are very blessed. Have you noticed?
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in
all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
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