Are You Grateful?
By: David Freund, Chief Leadership Officer

Have you taken the time lately to be grateful or are you too busy running here and there in search of happiness? I don’t mean to be critical, I just want to help you slow down a bit and realize that happiness and fulfillment might be right next to you.

I recently read a short article about two sisters, Corrie and Betsie ten Boom. In 1944 the two sisters arrived at Ravensbruck prison in Nazi Germany. Their crime, hiding Jews from the Nazis. While there, they continued to take care of the sick and injured within the camp. One day the two sisters were moved into Barracks 28. The worst of the worst. Sewage backed up; beds made of hard wooden racks with loose straw on them for a mattress. To make things even worse, the barracks was infested with fleas. How could anyone be grateful for a situation like this?

That night as the two sisters tried to fall asleep they spoke of their situation. All at once Betsie remembered a scripture that simply said, “in everything give thanks.” Corrie, stunned by her sister’s comment replied, “thankful for what?” Betsie simply replied back “We are here together, so we have each other. This place is so bad that the guards won’t come in much so we can have our daily devotions and invite others to have them with us.” Corrie and Betsie were highly intentional about cultivating gratitude. As I read the account of these two sisters, I was reminded how powerful an attitude of gratitude could be.

Intentionally focusing on being grateful has a tremendous impact on every aspect of our life.  According to Amit Amin of Happierhuman.com, a study showed that a daily five-minute gratitude journal practice could increase your well-being by more than 10%. That is the same impact as doubling your income. The challenge for each of us is how to make an attitude of gratitude a daily success habit.

The best way to cultivate gratitude is to keep a gratitude journal. You are combining the benefit of reflection and journaling with the intentional act of creating a more positive mindset. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Why not try intentionally focusing on being grateful and let me know how you make out. I promise you will not regret it.

Join Marisa and me on The Next Page podcast as we look at the many benefits an attitude of gratitude can have in our lives– and have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

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