When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them. ~ Chinese Proverb
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.
~ William Arthur Ward
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Did you know an attitude of gratitude is good for your health? In 2003, Dr. Robert Emmons, a professor of psychology at the University of California-Davis and a pioneer in gratitude research teamed up with Michael McCullough, a psychologist at the University of Miami, and published a landmark study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
For the study, the researchers randomly assigned more than 100 undergraduates to one of three groups. One group was asked to list five things they were grateful for during the week for 10 consecutive weeks. The second group listed five things that annoyed them, or hassles, from each week and the third group simply listed five events that had occurred, without noting positive or negative effects. Participants also completed detailed questionnaires about their physical and mental health before, during and after the study period.
The “gratitude” group reported fewer health complaints and even spent more time exercising than the other [control] participants did. Those who expressed gratitude were more likely to help others and complete personal goals, while reporting more determination, optimism, alertness, energy, and enthusiasm.
As simple as it sounds, gratitude is actually a demanding, complex emotion that requires “self-reflection, the ability to admit that one is dependent upon the help of others, and the humility to realize one’s own limitations,” Dr. Emmons says.
I have recently registered for the Gratitude Project, hosted by Women Healing the World with a good friend of mine, Joanna Lindenbaum. It’s an all-day event on Friday, November 18, that will change your life and your course for success! Take an opportunity to deeply key in to the power of giving thanks consistently for an entire day, and to walk away with an amazing box of gratitude tools that you can use for manifestation and prosperity whenever you wish (personally, I can’t wait for these tools!).
I encourage you to check out The Gratitude Project to learn more and to sign up for this free event. You don’t need to devote your entire day to the program without getting your “to-do” list done…it’s a series of 10-minute calls throughout the day that could change your life…seriously! I hope you’ll join me on the calls.
Often times our health and well-being is more than the food we’re eating or not eating. It’s about who we are being in this world. For me, recognizing all that I have and eliminating the anxiety of comparing me to others and what they have has altered my life for the better in countless ways. I keep a Gratitude Journal near my bed and write at least five things I’m grateful for every night. You can imagine how much I smile when I open it up and read through the days and experience the awareness of all that I do have. This is especially important on days when things aren’t going so right, when I’m feeling down or sad or frustrated. The simple act of writing what I’m grateful for changes my perspect ive when I’m feeling “less than” or bummed out.
My journal is just one tool I have incorporated into my life. I’m looking forward to Joanna’s wisdom to learn more. If you are interested in registering or learning more, visit The Gratitude Project or feel free to email me if you have any questions.
What are you grateful for today?
Next Steps:
- Register for The Gratitude Project. [Please note – there is no pressure here and I don’t receive anything for your participation; I’m sharing an event I believe in because I care about you.]
- Start keeping a Gratitude Journal – write down 3-5 things daily for which you are grateful.
Acknowledge others. Say “thank-you” when someone holds the door for you or to the server who prepares your coffee or tea in the morning or lunch in the afternoon.- Call a family member or friend. Ask them what’s been going on in their life and let them know you appreciate them.
- Smile – because I am grateful for you being a part of the Bravo! Wellness community.
These steps will support you to acknowledge the wonderful aspects of your life and help you to express your gratitude, which is an integral part of your health and well-being. If you are concerned about your nutrition and/or your lifestyle habits and know you want to look and/or feel better, please contact me at or call 413-282-7286. At Bravo! Wellness, I work with my clients to create manageable lifestyle changes so they are able to reach their goals and maintain a healthy and fulfilling standard of living.
