Gratitude is not only the greatest of all virtues, but the parent of all others ” – Cicero, 420 AD. Recently one of my friends told me about a book called Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier by Dr. Robert Emmons. It’s a fascinating book that shows his very poignant research findings which are relevant for all of us who are struggling with financial issues, parenting challenges, and everyday trials and tribulations. Dr. Emmons stated that at first he thought gratitude was a simplistic emotion, but he discovered in fact that it is a very complex phenomenon that can measurably change people’s lives.
Posts Tagged ‘Gratitude’
Self-Help For Getting Gratitude to Work
Saturday, June 13th, 2009When you’re reviewing what you’re grateful for, make your gratitude specific. Instead of saying, “I am grateful for all my friends”, say, “I am grateful for Ken, or Suzanne or Sallie. Or, you can be even more specific and say, “I’m grateful for my friendship with Caroline”, or “Thank you for Paul’s caring”. Play around with the language until it feels right for you.
Gratitude – And That Feels Like, What?
Wednesday, June 10th, 2009Being grateful by definition is being appreciative or thankful I wonder how many times we actually consider what we are grateful for? Maybe if we all did this more often we would realize what we have. From the air that we breathe and the fine body we have to breathe to everything else we can think of.
A Simple Way to Increase Happiness
Sunday, June 7th, 2009People who practise this simple technique as little as once a week have been shown to be less likely to be depressed, anxious, lonely or envious. By now, I am sure you are all wondering what can possibly achieve all these incredible results. The answer: gratitude.
Yes! Gratitude Helps
Saturday, June 6th, 2009“The six most important words: I admit I made a mistake; The five most important words: You did a good job; The four most important words: What is your opinion?; The three most important words: If you please; The two most important words: Thank You; The one most important word: We” – Anonymous. In my last article, I wrote about Dr Emmons’ cutting edge research on the nature of gratitude. He defines gratitude as: “A virtue and an emotion – a knowing awareness that we are the recipients of goodness”. His view is that gratitude is the best approach to life. Now let’s continue to Dr Emmons’ next 5 outstanding prescriptions for the basic practice of gratitude.
