Showcase Your Gratitude
The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.
~ St. Augustine
Definition: The state of being grateful; thankfulness. (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/gratitude)
Gratitude is the heart's internal indicator when the tally of gifts outweighs exchanges (The Iinternational Encyclopedia of Ethics)
At a time of chaos and uncertainty in the world, it's often good to reflect and remember what we are grateful for in life. I have a few friends who either live in Japan or still have family in Japan. And sadly, it sometimes takes a neutral disaster for us to stop and rekindle a sense of gratefulness.
Being grateful is actually a good skill to help us cope with life's daily frustrations, stress, trauma and crisis. At a time, such as now, when life appears to be in crisis around the world, having a grateful outlook helps to offer a buffer or protection from the trauma. It can also help to encourage resiliency - and a 'bounce-back' spirit.
In fact, people who regularly practice gratitude can increase their personal 'set-point' for happiness by 25%! Research even shows (controlling for all known risk factors), people who practice gratitude can decrease their chances of cardio-vascular disease, decrease symptoms of depression (by 6-12 months), improve quality and length of sleep time, they typically spend more time exercising and have greater levels of overall well-being.
The most common ways to practice gratitude is to keep a Gratitude Journal. It doesn't have to be anything fancy or elaborate. Just bullet pointing 3 things which you are grateful for each day or at least once a week, can have a significant impact on your mental health. The research has shown that keeping a Gratitude Journal for as little as 3 weeks can result in better sleep and more energy!
I am very thankful that my Japanese friends are safe and their loved ones are safe. I was even more encouraged today while checking some emails from Japan. One of my Japanese friends sounded hopeful and inspiring during a time of chaos and uncertainty. She wrote, "Japanese people have power to withstand this extremely difficult situation and to revive our home country. I am also very impressed and appreciate the people who are concerned for me and Japan. I am fine, but thanks for your words and kindness."
This inspires me to be re-energized with my faith in humanity. Despite of lack of control over mother nature, we can pull together and help each other in a time of need. Whether it is a natural disaster or an economic crisis - it is better to showcase kindness, gratitude, fairness and humanity. It is better to be optimistic and remember those things which we are grateful.
I am sending loving kindness, well wishes, thoughts and prayers to our friends in Japan.
If you would like to help out please see the Red Cross's website: http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.1a019a978f421296e81ec89e43181aa0/?vgnextoid=f9efd2a1ac6ae210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD
Gratitude is the heart's internal indicator when the tally of gifts outweighs exchanges (The Iinternational Encyclopedia of Ethics)
At a time of chaos and uncertainty in the world, it's often good to reflect and remember what we are grateful for in life. I have a few friends who either live in Japan or still have family in Japan. And sadly, it sometimes takes a neutral disaster for us to stop and rekindle a sense of gratefulness.
Being grateful is actually a good skill to help us cope with life's daily frustrations, stress, trauma and crisis. At a time, such as now, when life appears to be in crisis around the world, having a grateful outlook helps to offer a buffer or protection from the trauma. It can also help to encourage resiliency - and a 'bounce-back' spirit.
In fact, people who regularly practice gratitude can increase their personal 'set-point' for happiness by 25%! Research even shows (controlling for all known risk factors), people who practice gratitude can decrease their chances of cardio-vascular disease, decrease symptoms of depression (by 6-12 months), improve quality and length of sleep time, they typically spend more time exercising and have greater levels of overall well-being.
The most common ways to practice gratitude is to keep a Gratitude Journal. It doesn't have to be anything fancy or elaborate. Just bullet pointing 3 things which you are grateful for each day or at least once a week, can have a significant impact on your mental health. The research has shown that keeping a Gratitude Journal for as little as 3 weeks can result in better sleep and more energy!
I am very thankful that my Japanese friends are safe and their loved ones are safe. I was even more encouraged today while checking some emails from Japan. One of my Japanese friends sounded hopeful and inspiring during a time of chaos and uncertainty. She wrote, "Japanese people have power to withstand this extremely difficult situation and to revive our home country. I am also very impressed and appreciate the people who are concerned for me and Japan. I am fine, but thanks for your words and kindness."
This inspires me to be re-energized with my faith in humanity. Despite of lack of control over mother nature, we can pull together and help each other in a time of need. Whether it is a natural disaster or an economic crisis - it is better to showcase kindness, gratitude, fairness and humanity. It is better to be optimistic and remember those things which we are grateful.
I am sending loving kindness, well wishes, thoughts and prayers to our friends in Japan.
If you would like to help out please see the Red Cross's website: http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.1a019a978f421296e81ec89e43181aa0/?vgnextoid=f9efd2a1ac6ae210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD
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