Taking Time to Give Thanks

It's Thanksgiving today, and although I'm from the losing side in the American War of Independence, taking time to give thanks and take stock of what you have to feel grateful for is always a good idea. 

And it's not just me saying that. There's science to prove that it pays to acknowledge the good things in your life. 

A few years ago, Psychology Today posted an article called 7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude. Among the benefits are that it improves physical health with grateful people experiencing fewer aches and pains; improved psychological health with gratitude apparently reducing "toxic emotions." Feeling grateful also leads to better sleep and improves self-esteem. 

That giving thanks is good for you makes a lot of sense, even without thinking about the science behind it. 

I know from personal experience and I'm sure you do too that when things seem bad, somehow they are bad. I also know that when I make the effort to feel positive, and content and to rid myself of regretful and negative thoughts, somehow things seem better and brighter.

But it's not always easy. Especially if your personality falls more on the pessimist than optimist side of the scale. 

Add to that, with the world in the state it's currently in, it's hard to always feel grateful and thankful. 

To counter the ill effects of the news, and the world, I've started trying to read good news stories and to switch off from media - social and otherwise - when I feel like I've had too much negative influence. And while it isn't easy, it's definitely helpful.

I've also started to actively acknowledge the things for which I feel grateful.

For example, I'm ridiculously grateful for my family, even when one of them, who shall not be named, comes into my room at three in the morning demanding pancakes.

I'm thankful for my health and the health of those around me. 

I'm grateful for the relationships in my life and I'm grateful that although I live far away from old friends we keep in touch on a daily basis through the magic of technology. 

I'm thankful that I enjoy what I do each day and that work is always plentiful. 

And then there's a zillion other little things that I often don't think about but for which I am also thankful. 

We've spent a lot of time worrying about sales and the upcoming holiday season and the state of the economy and whether diamonds are top of people's minds this year. For at least one day, set aside the worries and take the time to give thanks. 

Wishing those of you celebrating a happy Thanksgiving and for those who aren't, like me, I wish you a happy time of giving thanks. 

Have a fabulous weekend.