Today i give thanks

It’s Thanksgiving here in Canada today, a good opportunity to write about the concept of gratitude.

Research in Positive Psychology, the study of well-being, confirms that the simple act of gratitude, orienting one’s self toward noticing and appreciating the positive in the world, when regularly practiced, makes a significant improvement in people's lives (www.authentichappiness.org). It appears that grateful people take better care of themselves and engage in more health promoting behaviors like getting regular exercise and eating a healthy diet. Grateful people tend to be more optimistic, a characteristic that can even boost the immune system. Gratitude is simply good for you.

How can we cultivate an attitude of gratitude?  We can begin or end each day with a few moments spent in awe of something beautiful or fascinating, and giving thanks for the experience. We can keep a journal of what we love or appreciate about our lives. My sister kept such a journal during the two years of her cancer treatment before she died two years ago this month. This is now a beautiful legacy we can remember her by.

There is no one correct way to express gratitude; the key is to consistently make the effort to turn your attention to what’s good, right, and wonderful about you and your life.

Today I give thanks…

For everyone who supports me in my perpetual quest to be a better person: my family and friends, colleagues and clients, teachers and coaches, and my dogs.

For my body that allows me to play, dance, work, love, and feel.

For my brain that makes it all happen, and that allows me to be present in the moment, remember the past, and plan for the future.

For the food that sustains me for all of the above.

For the beautiful, mysterious, challenging, crazy world that I get to be part of for too short a time.

What are you grateful for today?