May 14, 2012
It doesn't take an expert to tell us what counting our blessings can do to our emotional and psychological states of being, and most importantly - to make us happier. The "gratitude attitude" is a habit that has been instilled in most of us since childhood, a universal gesture that enables anyone to appreciate their days, their lives and those around them much better.
And the simple act of writing things down may just be the best way to keep gratitude in perspective. Keeping a gratitude journals take just "five minutes" of your day, and is as simple as creating a checklist!
"Every night, list five things that happened this day, in days to come that you are grateful for. What it will begin to do is to change your perspective of your day and your life"." - Oprah WinfreyThe oracle has spoken.
Robert A. Emmons, the editor-in-chief of "The Journal of Positive Psychology", reassures us with another tip: "There is no one "right" way to do it," said Robert. "You don't need to buy a fancy personal journal to record your entries in, or worry about spelling or grammar."
"The Greater Good Science Center" also suggests that you make the most out of your new habit by being fully aware of those around you and making the conscious decision to become more grateful throughout the day, remembering to focus on "people" to whom you are grateful for in your life.
Gratitude, according to the NY Times, also triggers physical benefits like better health and sounder sleep, and can even turn us into nicer people as it has been known to cause less anxiety and incite "higher long-term satisfaction with life, and kinder behavior toward others". If you weren't convinced before, this has got to be the bonus gift you've been waiting for!
For the more technologically-dependent of us who prefer to express gratitude through our keyboards, fortunately, there are journals available online. "Happy Rambles", for instance, has adopted Oprah's "five things" code with their private and personal online journal - it's a great way to jot down your five pointers as they happen.
Keeping tab of your blessings "publicly" will also serve as infectious gratitude energy. Mindvalley's own "Gratitude Log", dubbed "The Happiest Place on the Internet", has formed a community for spreading gratitude and appreciation, gathering individuals, businesses and organizations worldwide by helping them to share their appreciation for each other better. Sharing gratitude during lunch breaks and meetings has never been so easy!
Whether you choose to keep your gratitude list to yourself or announce it to the world, gratitude is life's way to remind you of where you are, why you are and ultimately - "who" you are.
And if takes just five minutes of your day to greatly affect your life, we don't see why you shouldn't list down five things that they're already thankful for today, right now!
http://www.finerminds.com/happiness/how-to-journal-gratitude/
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