It's not Thanksgiving, the day where we take time to pause and choose gratitude for the bounty of the harvest and the blessings abundant in our lives. But, it IS today. Today is as good a day as any to pause and reflect on what is Good in our lives. Good, rich, full, satisfying and loving.
Researchers who study gratitude have found out that gratitude is good for you, really good for you.
Gratitude researchers (sounds like a cool job to me), Emmons & McCullogh, 2003, found in an experimental comparison that people who kept gratitude journals on a weekly basis exercised more regularly, experienced an increased sense of well being, were more optimistic and excited about their upcoming week and felt better about their lives as a whole as compared to those who recorded negative or neutral life even.
Reading that made me wonder: what if we lived in a world where folks were grateful for all that was good and kind and working? I wonder if we would be less easily persuaded to buy things we don't need because we'd be happy with what we have.
Our brain structure is impacted by our focus. Whatever we focus on will stimulate the brain chemistry and promote growth in the area of attention.
There is a term, "attention density”, used to describe focused concentration. It has been discovered that wherever you place your attention is neural tissue grows. This is as true for thought patterns of fear, hate and phobia as it is for peace, love and connection. More neural tissue leads to easier, more intensive firing.
So if you want to get better on creating abundance, focus on the gifts, the abundance, the joys, the goodness in your life. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude, and you will grow neural tissue to support you in creating that which you focus upon.
Gratitude is one of the most powerful resources we have. And it’s free. These days that's a good thing.
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"The antidote for lack is gratitude. Gratitude is a choice, an attitude, an approach towards life. My gratitude for this moment does not depend on what is going on in this moment; it is the moment, regardless of what is going on, that I am grateful for."
~ John-Roger ~
Board Certified Professional Counselor and Certified Life Coach for more than two decades Leslie specializes in spiritual psychology and transformational coaching. She has supported thousands of people to create the life they really want by harnessing their genius, revealing their essence, and expressing their gifts. Go to http://www.living-bydesign.com and sign up for her free newsletter and free eCourse and receive a gift.