TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3RD, 2023 - HAPPY AND GRATEFUL 

I have some choruses playing in my head. This is one of them:

“If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands

If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands

If you’re happy and you know it, stomp your feet

If you’re happy and you know it, shout hurray (hurray)

If you’re happy and you know it, do all three.

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Let’s face it - I am HAPPY, love life, love who I am, and love people.

Happiness is a choice. I can choose to be happy - and I do!!!!!

******

But today, let’s couple that happiness with GRATITUDE.

I am grateful for my many friends, my life situation, and the love of God that surrounds me!!!

Gratitude is more than just a buzzword. It’s a practice that improves your mental, physical, and emotional health. (Or … a similar word - “THANKFUL”!!!)

Let’s picture this:

You have a gallon jar in front of you. What are you going to put in it? We will pour in a magic elixir when we have all the dry ingredients. This concoction will determine your life. That magical elixir will take on those properties if you fill the jar with complaining and negativity. Filling the pot with happiness, gratitude, and forgiveness is the sweetest drink on the planet. (So, what will it be?)

So, let’s look at two ingredients today.

How to Be Happy With Yourself: 6 Tips for a Happy Life

Engage in physical activity. Feeling happy is a holistic practice that includes your body and mind.

Focus on others.

Identify and analyze your negative thoughts (and discard those negative thoughts).

Meditate. 

Practice regular gratitude.

Remember short-term goals.

How can you be grateful - despite negative things in your life?

One author said this: “When we practice appreciation for the people, things, or experiences around us, we become more present and engaged with life and the joys and pleasures it has to offer. Gratitude interrupts the mental cycle of negativity bias, helping to decrease anxiety and depression and shift your mindset towards more ease. This positive mindset becomes a new habit with consistent practice, helping you experience more of the “good stuff.”

Like Happiness, Gratitude is an ATTITUDE -we can choose to be HAPPY, and we can choose to express GRATITUDE!!!

Gratitude Boosts Positive Emotions

Gratitude is Good For Your Body

Gratitude Improves Relationships (not just romantic ones)

Gratitude Makes Us More Resilient

Like the magical elixir above, happiness and gratitude are super H vitamins (H for Happiness). And they do boost your positive emotions!! Research studies have shown that gratitude can lower high blood pressure, give you better sleep, and strengthen your immune system.  

“Gratitude can improve not only your mental health but your physical health as well. Studies have shown that practicing gratitude can lead to lower blood pressure, more robust immune systems, and better sleep. People who practice gratitude are also reported to experience fewer aches and pains and seem to take better care of themselves with more regular exercise and check-ups at the doctor.

An old hymn - Count Your Blessings:

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your many blessings, and see what God has done.

People generally like being with happy people - if you are so glad and express gratitude, you will (typically) get along with people. (I’m not a big fan of cranky, irritable people!!!)

Love goes well with happiness and gratitude.

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, © OCTOBER 3, 2023