Giving thanks everyday

I'm not big fan of reading, watching, or listening to the news. It's too depressing (but that's a blog post for a different day). But I do like skimming through the newspaper while I eat breakfast. I scan the cover, the Life or Home section and occasionally read my horoscope. I always make time for the comics.

Today, amidst all the scandal and bad news there was a great article, The power of saying 'thanks.' I didn't have time to read it then but I made sure to go back later, and I'm glad I did.

It's not surprising that giving thanks is a good thing. But apparently scientists have evidence of just how good it is for us. 

You can read the article here.

It made me realize I needed to take more time each day to be thankful, not just on a day like Thanksgiving. I have so much that I'm grateful for! So I thought I'd share the list of tips they provide for giving thanks on a daily basis.

1. Keep a gratitude journal. Regularly write down at night the good things that happened to you that day or that week. Don't let this become rote; but put a lot of thought into being grateful when you count your blessings. If it gets to be too routine, vary your schedule and do it only a few times a week.

2. Put the "you" in "thank you." The personal part of gratitude works well. So be more thankful for people and how they help instead of things. When thanking someone, emphasize the person instead of the action.

3. Think about how you would be without the people close to you and remember that when you are thankful.

4. Find something that may have gone wrong in your day or your life and think of something good from that time that helped you. Remember how that helped you survive the bad times.

5. Don't minimize the power of  "you're welcome." It is important to acknowledge someone thanking you and not slough it off by saying it's nothing. It is something--that's why someone thanked you. (I love this one!)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!