Love is not just something that happens to you. It is a certain special way of being alive. – Thomas Merton
Love comes to those who love life and love themselves. It comes to those who are excited to get up each day and embrace the day, because they have found the reason why they are here. It comes to those who appreciate the world, with all of its beauty and blessings.
Since I realized how good it feels to be grateful for what I have instead of resentful for what I don’t have, and what an important place this is to start from, I have been on a mission to understand what this simple daily act does for my health and perspective.
Scientists are finally catching on to what many religions worldwide have known for centuries, gratitude is good for your body and your mind. People who practice gratitude are in better health, are more optimistic, and make more progress towards their personal goals, according to Robert Emmons, a professor of psychology at UC-Davis.
Here’s how they came to this conclusion: Over 10 weeks the subjects were required to write down five things they were grateful for every week. These subjects found they were 25% happier than those who only wrote down their frustrations. They also found grateful people sleep longer, exercise more, naturally reduce their blood pressure, eat less dietary fat, and live up to seven years longer because of their decision to choose positive emotions.
Think you have nothing to be thankful for? Then go watch this five minute video from Gratefulness.org
