Being Grateful

I am currently reading The Pursuit of Perfect by Tal Ben-Shahar.

In this book he describes the importance of being grateful.

He writes about the research of Robert Emmons and Michael
McCullough.  These psychologists conducted a series of studies
in which they asked participants to write down at least five
things, major or minor, for which they were grateful.

Their studies revealed that those who wrote on a daily basis
about the things they were grateful for were "more appreciative
of life, more determined, enjoyed higher levels of well-being,
felt happier, more energetic and more optimistic."

You may be familiar with this exercise as it was once featured
on Oprah.

I am fortunate to communicate with a friend who shares with me
the five things she is grateful for each day. I enjoy reading
these e-mails.

In her last e-mail, my friend raised a valid point. She wrote,
"We truly forget how much we have to be grateful for.  If we
wrote a list -- and had open minds about it -- without getting
caught up in the minutiae of our everyday somewhat ordinary
lives, we would definitely see how much we do have to be
grateful about. "

She's right. Many of us have a tendency to get so "wrapped up"
in our lives that we don't take the time to be grateful -
especially for the smallest pleasures. We take too many things
for granted.

Tal Ben-Shahar writes, "When we make a habit of gratitude, we
no longer require a special event to make us happy. We become
more aware of good things that happen to us during the day, as
we anticipate putting them on our list."

Here's my list for today.  I am grateful for:

1. Less back pain 
2. Dinner with the family
3. A very nice "thank you" letter from a client
4. My computer and the fact that it worked without a hitch
today
5. Friends who listen and do not judge

The action step this week is to begin a daily exercise of
writing down five things for which you are grateful. Try to
write something different every day. Do your best to make a
habit of this mental exercise.

Lastly, I highly recommend Tal Ben-Shahar's books, The Pursuit
of Perfect and Happier. Both are well worth the read.

To Your Health, Wealth & Happiness!

Dr. Michael Kaye
Knowledge, Action, Results