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Why Living a Life of Gratitude Can Make You Happy<\/strong><\/font><\/p>\n \u201cIf the only prayer you said in your whole life was, <\/font><\/p>\n Many days, I try to humble myself and hold a 2-minute gratitude session. I simply sit or kneel, with no distractions, close my eyes, and think about what I\u2019m grateful for and who I\u2019m grateful for.<\/font><\/font><\/font><\/p>\n I don\u2019t do it every day, but let me tell you, on the days I do it, it makes me very happy.<\/font><\/p>\n Why should that be? Why should the simple act of thinking about who and what I\u2019m grateful for make such a big difference in my life?<\/p>\n Just a few reasons:<\/strong><\/p>\n * Because it reminds you of the positive things in your life. It makes you happy about the people in your life, whether they\u2019re loved ones or just a stranger you met who was kind to you in some ways.<\/p>\n * Because it turns bad things into good things. Having problems at work? Be grateful you have work. Be grateful you have challenges, and that life isn\u2019t boring. Be grateful that you can learn from these challenges. Be thankful they make you a stronger person.<\/p>\n * Because it reminds you of what\u2019s important. It\u2019s hard to complain about the little things when you give thanks that your children are alive and healthy. It\u2019s hard to get stressed out over paying bills when you are grateful there is a roof over your head.<\/p>\n * Because it reminds you to thank others. I\u2019ll talk about this more below, but the simple act of saying \u201cthank you\u201d to someone can make a big difference in that person\u2019s life. Calling them, emailing them, stopping by to say thank you \u2026 just taking that minute out of your life to tell them why you are grateful toward them is important to them. People like being appreciated for who they are and what they do. It costs you little, but makes someone else happy. And making someone else happy will make you happy.<\/p>\n What do I give thanks for, privately, in my little gratitude session? It varies every day. I thank my loved ones, for all they do to me. I thank my friends for all their love and support. I thank strangers who have shown me little acts of kindness. I thank God, for the life he\u2019s given me. I thank people around the world for the things they\u2019ve done to make the world better. I thank myself, for things that I\u2019ve done (it\u2019s important to recognize your own accomplishments). There are many things to be thankful for and this is just a small sampling.<\/p>\n How to Live a Life of Gratitude<\/strong><\/p>\n The thing is, simple acts of gratitude don\u2019t cost you much (especially once you get over the initial discomfort some people feel with thanking others). But they can make a huge difference.<\/font><\/p>\n If you\u2019re interested in living a life of gratitude, here are a few suggestions:<\/font><\/p>\n * Morning gratitude session. Take 2-3 minutes each morning to give thanks, to whoever or whatever you\u2019re grateful for. You don\u2019t have to do anything, other than close your eyes and silently give thanks. This one act can make a huge difference.<\/p>\n * Say thank you. When someone does something nice for you, however small, try to remember to say thank you. And really mean it.<\/p>\n * Call to say thanks. Sometimes you might think about something nice that someone did for you. Perhaps you remember during your gratitude session. When you do, pick up the phone and call the person, just to say thanks. Let them know what they did that you\u2019re grateful for, and why you appreciate it. Takes a minute or two. If it\u2019s too early to call, make a note to call later. Even better is telling them in person, if you happen to see them or if they\u2019re on your route. Almost as good is a thank-you email \u2014 keep it short and sweet.<\/p>\n * Give thanks for \u201cnegative\u201d things in your life. There\u2019s always two ways to look at something. Many times we think of something as negative \u2014 it\u2019s stressful, harmful, sad, unfortunate, difficult. But that same thing can be looked at in a more positive way. Giving thanks for those things is a great way to remind yourself that there is good in just about everything. Problems can be seen as opportunities to grow, to be creative. See the prayer below for more on this.<\/p>\n * Learn a gratitude prayer. There are many prayers, religious or not, that can remind you to be grateful. Find one you like, and print it out or make it your desktop wallpaper.<\/p>\n Let me leave you with a prayer of gratitude that I\u2019ve always found \u2026 well, perfect:<\/p>\n Be Thankful<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Be thankful that you don\u2019t already have everything you desire, <\/p>\n Be thankful when you don\u2019t know something <\/p>\n Be thankful for the difficult times. Be thankful for your limitations Be thankful for each new challenge Be thankful for your mistakes Be thankful when you\u2019re tired and weary It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
\n\u2018thank you,\u2019 that would suffice.\u201d
\n~Meister Eckhart<\/font><\/em><\/font><\/font><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/i57.photobucket.com\/albums\/g208\/ammango\/angel_love\/gratitude\/Winner-1.jpg\")
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\nIf you did, what would there be to look forward to?<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n
\nFor it gives you the opportunity to learn.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nDuring those times you grow.<\/p>\n
\nBecause they give you opportunities for improvement.<\/p>\n
\nBecause it will build your strength and character.<\/p>\n
\nThey will teach you valuable lessons.<\/p>\n
\nBecause it means you\u2019ve made a difference.<\/p>\n
\nA life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
\nalso thankful for the setbacks.<\/p>\n
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