Living a grateful life can make you happier for a bunch of reasons. Here are three important ones:
It reminds you of the positive things in your life, including the great people you’re lucky to have surrounding you and the blessings you’ve received.
It can turn negative things into positive ones. Rough day or week at work? Be grateful you have a job, that you have an opportunity to learn and grow, that you can use the challenges to become a stronger person.
It encourages you to thank others. Expressing sincere appreciation feels good—both for you and the person you’re thanking.
Here’s what I’m grateful for this week:
>> Having all my boys home together for the first time since June. It’s for but a fleeting couple of weeks, but I’ll take it! I’m savoring our afternoons at the beach, our delicious dinners at home and out, and how the four of them have evolved into a caring bunch of brothers.
>> My sister and her family are here for a few days! Yippee! It’s always the most fun and relaxing part of the summer, filled with tons of laughter and good catching up. Everyone seems to be in a happy place when they’re here.
>> I finally got the inspiration to start exercising, and for that I’m so grateful. I’ve been terrible about getting my body in motion, and even though it’s just a slow start to be walking on the treadmill every day, at least it’s one step in the right direction.
>> The staff of the Academy of Media Production at Boston University. My twins completed the four-week hands-on program and we were blown away by the professionalism of short films and radio programming the produced and screened at the formal graduation ceremony. The program provided intensive learning about media production that they will have with them for life, and inspired them both for their senior year and beyond. Of all the summer education programs my boys have attended, this was far and away the most well-run and impressive. It was also a treat to meet and chat with the current Dean of the College of Communication, my alma mater. Felt nostalgic and exciting to be back!
>> While it’s a tremendous frustration not to have a clear vision for what I want to do next as a work project, I am grateful to have the time and flexibility to consider my future and shape it as I like. And I’m always open to suggestions and creative ideas for how to take this gratitude and happiness theme forward in a creative and meaningful way.
What are you grateful for this week?