Gratitude Works

Gratitude has the power to heal, energize and change lives. I recently heard a presentation by Dr. Robert Emmons of UC Davis, who researches the impact of gratitude on people's life. I was taken aback by the impact of gratitude. Did you know that based on Dr. Emmons findings people who regularly practice an attitude of gratitude have on average a 7% higher income then those people who don't?

To develop gratitude in your life, Dr. Emmons recommended starting a gratitude journal. He gave three simple steps to increasing the effectiveness of your gratitude journaling.

1. Specificity, be specific about what you are grateful for.
2. Surprise, write about something you received unexpectedly. (Anything from a compliment to a large gift.)
3. Scarcity, wanting now what you may not have later. (Imagine having no money, now how grateful are you for the money that you have?)

My guess is that we can all increase our level of gratitude and decrease our frustrations with our spouses and financial situations, when we start to focus more of our energy on gratitude.

I am grateful for a lot of things, but one of my favorites right now is my son's laughter at the simple things in life. He is two and half, and finds the simplest things so delightful. Just the prospect of going swimming will have him jumping up and down for joy. His simple pleasures, remind me not to take life to seriously and to have fun.

What are you grateful for? Please leave a comment.

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