The Gratitude Challenge

gratitude

a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.

Apparently, studies show that grateful people tend to be happier people, or so I’ve been reading. Actually, someone in my Living Well class mentioned it too, but I’m always skeptical so I’ve been checking it out online. O.K. I’ve been checking out Gratitude Journals online and that’s how I found out there had been actual studies that suggest that grateful people are happier people.

‘’With gratitude, there is virtually no down side,’’ said McCullough, who has been working on the Research Project on Gratitude and Thankfulness: Dimensions and Perspectives of Gratitude.

And there’s a major upside: “Most grateful people have low rates of depression and negative moods — but high self-esteem.’’ ["Routine of Gratitude" -- MySelfDevelopment]

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about about the whole “power of positive thinking” thing, especially after Buttercup went through her “post one positive thing a day” phase and then I discovered Meredith’s blog with her daily graditudes. At first, while admiring their ability to be happy and positive, I was a bit resentful and pretty certain that I could never and should never approach such a project. I am after all kind of a Wednesday Adams in my own mind.

But as my therapist kind of reminded me yesterday, I don’t want my depression or any of my conditions to define me. Clearly, my depression and my anxiety make me want to shrink away from tasks where positive thoughts might reinforce themselves. So this is an obstacle I need to overcome — just like procrastination on the weekends.

But it doesn’t have to come naturally — people can learn to be grateful, McCullough said. One gratitude study he worked on asked respondents to make daily notes on four or five things for which they were thankful — even if it was just a sunny day.

The results: ‘’In just two to three weeks they reported being happier,’’ he said. “People close to them could see the difference too.’’

Dr. Andrew Wenger, a psychologist in Pinecrest, said he tries to show some clients how to be more thankful to make them more adept in handling life’s challenges.

‘’Grateful people are more likely to be resilient, and they seem to have an easier time overcoming obstacles,’’ Wenger said. ["Routine of Gratitude" -- MySelfDevelopment]

So I’ve decided to take time every day to write down at least 5 things I’m grateful for that day — big or small. I’m willing to make try this out. I don’t see the harm if it doesn’t work and if it does, then I’m definitely way better off.

So for today, I am grateful for Pugly, Pugly’s godmother, bright blue skies, cool weather, and sunglasses.

Anyone else interested in doing this with me?

Tagged as: anxiety, depression, gratitude, happiness, photography, self-help