Day 8-Being Grateful

In the "Be Happy" course, participants are given a Gratitude Journal in which they write down what they're thankful for every day during the eight-week course. Gratitude is often referred to as the "shortest shortcut to happiness." How so? First, gratitude helps you to focus on what is important in your life. Remember, to be happy you have to be willing to sacrifice what isn't important for what is. Second, gratitude helps you become more receptive to the good things in life. As my friend Chuck Spezzano says, "When the receiver is ready, the gift appears."

Be Happy Exercise: Today you are to review this eight-day, mini-Be Happy program and make a list of at least eight blessings, breakthroughs and benefits you have experienced. The miracle of gratitude is that the more you practice gratitude, the more things you will find to be thankful for. The gift of gratitude is that it helps you to participate more fully in your own life-and to appreciate what you already have. This is crucial because in the final analysis, the only thing that is really missing in your life is more of the real you.

Caring Today
Winter 2010
Dr. Robert Holden
caringtoday.com