“The best kind of giving is thanksgiving.” Chesterton.

My dog is the most thankful creature I know. All I need to do is be with her. If there’s fetching involved, a state of bliss will likely be achieved. Wanda doesn’t hold a grudge, either. She forgets that I’m the one who takes her to the dreaded groomer, or holds her while she gets a shot. Wanda’s all about NOW. No matter how long I’ve been gone, she greets me with love and just wants to get on with the fun. She is one grateful, happy little schnauzer.

Wanda & Hanna

I don’t know if they were inspired by dogs, but Robert A. Emmons and Michael E. McCullough are professors researching the potential impact of gratitude on human health and well-being. They say gratitude is “the forgotten factor in happiness research”. Here’s one of their findings:

Grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions, life satisfaction, vitality, optimism and lower levels of depression and stress.  The disposition toward gratitude appears to enhance pleasant feeling states more than it diminishes unpleasant emotions.  Grateful people do not deny or ignore the negative aspects of life.

What a gift- something you can do to be happier, and it involves no cash! How can you resist? Thanksgiving is the day reserved by the Pilgrims for gratitude and sharing, but what if you hold the intention to be grateful every day? The professors say you’ll be happier. I think it’s worth a try.

One place to start is to write down something you are thankful for each and every day. If you like, use a journal- but you don’t have to. If you have a family, try making it a practice for everyone to share something daily- or weekly, whenever it is that you spend time together.

I’m writing thank you notes this week. I’m acknowledging Hanna’s soccer coaches and the parents who are there for me every time I need help balancing the mom/work thing. Thanks to my neighbor who walks Wanda when I get stuck out of the office for too long. I’m using cards that I have on hand; I’m not going to wait until I get the perfect note paper. The important thing is to express my gratitude.

I’m grateful to you, as well. Thank you for paying attention. Thank you for reading this far. Begin to establish a gratitude habit. You’ll be happier and healthier if you take the time to be thankful every day- starting right now!

Gratefully yours, Barbara

Life is short. Struggle is optional. Business coaching works. www.successfullysolo.com