Shakespeare observed:  “I can no other answer make but thanks, thanks, and ever thanks…”  In the spirit of my gratefulness for your participation this past month, please allow me a little poetic license to offer two simple words:  THANK YOU.

A THANK YOU has the power to transform our health, happiness, performance, personal excellence, and ultimate success.  Researchers note how grateful people are happier and more likely to maintain strong friendships.  An attitude of gratitude is shown to improve the heart’s rhythmic functioning, which helps us to reduce stress, think more clearly under pressure, and heal faster physically.  My own cardiologist tells me it is actually physiologically impossible to be stressed and thankful at the same time!  When you are grateful you flood your body and brain with positive reactions (and those important endorphins) to uplift and energize you body, mind, spirit, and soul.

Gratefulness is similar to a muscle in the body—the more we use it, the stronger it gets.  There are three simple (but not always easy) suggestions I use daily in order to assist in strengthening my grateful “muscles:”

1. Keep a gratefulness journal:  Take a walk/talk/squawk opportunity to write down, say out loud, pray, or meditate on what you are grateful for that day; it’s a mindset for choosing to focus on gratefulness in a purposeful way.
2. Take a grateful tour:  Randomly write and send a note, card, or a text expressing your gratitude to others as often as you can.
3. Say “THANK YOU” to someone every single day: When we take time to authentically express our appreciation to someone, we help ourselves in the process.

While these work for me, choose your own way, but use those muscles gratefully!

On this day of thanks and giving:  What one thing will you commit to do in developing your own personal plan to actively practice gratefulness each day?

THANK YOU for walking this gratefulness journey with me, especially during 2020 when little seems as it should.  THANK YOU for sharing your thoughts, reflecting with me and each other, while sharing JOY in simply being grateful together!  May we continue to encourage and uplift one another while keeping the importance of daily gratitude, gratefulness, and grace alive and well each day.  Happy Thanksgiving, my friends…so grateful for you!  🙂