By now, you've probably heard a lot about gratitude; especially as we approach the holiday season. Have you ever stopped to thing what all the fuss about gratitude was for? We can express our gratitude by saying, "thank you," but it can go much deeper than that!
The key to finding out how grateful you are is to consider how happy you are. Seems weird,
doesn’t it? But think about it for a moment…
How do you feel on the inside?
Do you feel happy or sad? Angry or calm?
Peaceful and serene or in constant turmoil?
You may not know it yet, but gratitude is a feeling state that can
bring about a deep sense of joy and happiness. Robert Emmons,
a research psychologist from the University of California, Davis
and author of "Thanks!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can
Make You Happier," found that those who engaged in regular
gratitude practices actually experience greater life satisfaction, have increased levels of happiness and are less prone to depression.
An attitude of gratitude can improve sleep and bring about a feeling of contentment, as opposed
to a sense of emptiness, hopelessness, longing, and constant dissatisfaction encouraged by our sometimes materialistic society, which tells us, we can never ever have enough. Instead, we need to become aware of that which we do have and express appreciation.
One of the ways for us to express gratitude can be through journaling. It can help get your thoughts down and provide a space for true reflection.
If you would like a personal gratitude journal, sign-up below to receive your free copy!
