Word-Of-the-Week #799: Thankful
November 28, 2019 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word-Of-the-Week #799: Thankful
Thankful – appreciative and grateful.
Are you appreciative and grateful for all that you have? Do you acknowledge and thank people when they do something that is of benefit or favorable to you? When you do something kind or giving to someone, do they thank you? How does that make you feel?
Today is the day we give thanks and I am sharing “words of wisdom” that really resonated with me. This from SD Tribune Neil Senturia on “9 reasons why this columnist is thankful on Thanksgiving.” I’m only listing #9 today to keep it short.
“The Challenge. “May you live in interesting times,” is an old saying. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Embrace the insanity, because it is exactly that which keeps you sane.
My final thanks are personal. I am reasonably healthy, and I deeply acknowledge the good fortune that I have received. And so I give thanks that I can continue to try to do better, to improve the lot of others, to make people laugh from time to time, to remain engaged in this world — in other words, I am thankful to be alive.
I am always deeply moved when I read the New York Times Neediest Cases stories. They have been doing this for 100 years, but you don’t have to travel to the Big Apple to see this world. Those stories are right here, right now, up close and personal. Do not give up. The journey always starts with the first step. And finally, remember that there but for the grace of God go all of us.”
Rule 655: Count your blessings.
This from Bill Marvin, “You have enough on your plate right now (pun intended), but while we enjoy our abundance, many in the world are hungry today … and with what has to be one of the best uses of the Internet that I know of, you can do something about it.
Go to The Hunger Site, click on the “Donate Free Food” button and somewhere in the world a hungry person gets a meal to eat, at no cost to you. The food is paid for by corporate sponsors who gain exposure in the process because you’ll see their logos, but all you have to do is go to the site and click on the donate food button. It literally takes a second … and you can do it once a day. Pass the word.”
- And being thankful has its health benefits. Researchers at the University of California-Davis, Cornell and the University of Michigan found that people “who have a plethora of events for which they feel grateful bounce back more quickly from trauma, can undo the negative effects of stress and have lower blood pressure.”
A USA Today article said to, “Notice small things. Experts almost universally agree that some of the most significant blessings are also the most seemingly insignificant acts. Take note of a nice day, a spectacular sunset, a moonlit night.”
I personally am so grateful for all that I have in my life. I am thankful to have been able to travel and experience so many different cultures. And I am very thankful to live in the “best place on the planet” with an abundance of everything. (And great paved roads) I have wonderful friends and family and the love of my life! I don’t think it can get any better than that!
This week focus on being thankful. What are you grateful for in your personal and professional life? When was the last time you told your customers, guests, clients, members, friends and family how much you appreciate having them in your life? This week make it a point to thank someone and then notice how they respond. And have a Happy Thanksgiving!
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Word-Of-the-Week #694: Gratitude
November 23, 2017 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word-Of-the-Week #694: Gratitude
Gratitude – a feeling of thankfulness or appreciation.
Today is Thanksgiving and I believe you can never be too thankful! Many of you have a long weekend off of work (and so to not overwhelm you) I am splitting up “Why gratitude is so good” by Arlene Dawson.
The importance of gratitude goes beyond a picture-perfect Thanksgiving tableau. Many experts believe that feeling grateful is also beneficial to your health.
“Gratitude is good medicine,” says Robert A. Emmons, professor of psychology at UC Davis and founding editor in chief of the Journal of Positive Psychology. Studies show that practicing gratitude can be used to help lower blood pressure, stop smoking and reduce stress.
Here are her first 5 reasons why it’s beneficial to cultivate an attitude of gratitude year round, not just at Thanksgiving:
- Gratitude empowers you – “If we’re so depressed about what’s going on in the world that we can’t act, what does that serve? So part of what we’re trying to do is keep people connected to gratefulness as a source of activism,” says Kristi Nelson, executive director of gratefulness.org, which describes itself as an online sanctuary dedicated to fostering grateful living. “It’s really powerful to steep ourselves in what we’re grateful for and then act to defend, protect and advance that in the world.”
- Helps fight addiction – “There’s a lot of belief that addictions come out of spiritual thirst,” says Nelson, citing a principle of 12-step programs. Gratitude can help you positively reframe not just the present but the past and future. “We have seen people have tremendous breakthroughs in valuing their lives and each other and life itself as a result of focusing on what they have to feel grateful for versus what’s missing in their lives.”
- Combats the Facebook blues – “In a consumer culture, we’re driven to see what we don’t have, and Facebook, social media, is only making it worse,” Nelson says. “It can feel like we’re all living in some kind of substandard world, that something should be different. That’s a form of suffering as opposed to seeing [that life itself is] a gift.”
- Boosts self-control – “Gratitude makes people more patient,” says Jeffrey Froh, an associate professor at Hofstra University, referencing the ability to delay gratification. “Future rewards are generally less attractive, but if you’re in a grateful mood you’re more able to wait. If you’re sad or depressed you just want to feel better in the moment, so you eat that whole cheesecake” instead of skipping dessert in favor of your weight-loss goals.
- Helps you sleep better – Instead of counting sheep, try counting your blessings. “There are about six good studies now showing that gratitude facilitates better sleep,” Emmons says. Almost every benchmark of good sleep — including duration of sleep and the time it takes to fall asleep — is improved by gratitude.
There are so many reasons why we should all be thankful. This week is all about really being aware and acknowledging that. My message to you is, “I hope you truly appreciate how fortunate you are and that you have a wonderful week giving THANKS!”
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WOW Word-Of-the-Week #329: Thankful
November 20, 2010 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #329: Thankful
Thankful – appreciative and grateful.
Are you appreciative and grateful for all that you have? Do you acknowledge and thank people when they do something that is of benefit or favorable to you? When you do something kind or giving to someone, do they thank you? How does it make you feel?
This week we celebrate Thanksgiving and I am so grateful for all that I have in my life. I am thankful to be able to travel and experience different cultures. Now that I don’t have to go school, I love learning all the history and the geography. I really enjoy meeting new people and eating good food!
And I am really thankful to be home! We live in a great country with an abundance of everything. (And great paved roads) I have wonderful friends and family and the love of my life! I don’t think it can get any better than that!
And being thankful has its health benefits. Researchers at the University of California-Davis, Cornell and the University of Michigan found that people “who have a plethora of events for which they feel grateful bounce back more quickly from trauma, can undo the negative effects of stress and have lower blood pressure.”
A USA Today article said to, “Notice small things. Experts almost universally agree that some of the most significant blessings are also the most seemingly insignificant acts. Take note of a nice day, a spectacular sunset, a moonlit night.”
This week focus on giving thanks. You can never do it too much. What are you grateful for in your personal and professional life? When was the last time you told your customers, guests, clients, members, friends and family how grateful you are to have them in your life?
Reader Responses
“Wise words.” – Em
“love this, thank you!” – Rosamaria
“Thinking of you and thankful that you are in my life!” – M
“As you note in your word this week, we can never say thank you or be grateful enough in this life. As I walked from the parking lot to the office I looked at the sky and thanked the Lord for another day. While this is certainly the week to be thankful for the tender mercies in our lives, someone remarked on the radio this morning that we should be thankful every day, not just at Thanksgiving. You mentioned the little things. I have made it a point in my life to try to remember the little things in other peoples’ lives, like anniversaries, their children’s birthdays, etc. Picking up the phone to just say hello. A few months ago a high school friend noted in his e-mail that he “owed me a phone call,” as if we were keeping score. I don’t keep score, I just pick up the phone and call – usually without thinking. I do it unconditionally – I don’t expect anything in return. But what I am noticing is that people don’t take the time to simply say “thank you.” That is what is being lost in society. Either people take it for granted that someone remembers them or they just don’t care. And that is the shame. Because no matter how busy all of us are, it does not take that much time to pick up the phone and thank another person. As advanced as we are in communications in our busy society, the technology is actually shutting us off from others. And that is the shame. Because if we don’t interact with PEOPLE, we don’t grow. A little thing I am grateful for is when my two-year-old comes running up to me with her arms wide open when she sees me. That is precious. I am so grateful for that. When my nine-year-old asks me to listen to her read or play the piano. I take the time. Because THESE ARE THE DAYS. And they will never come again. I am grateful for the health and the happiness to be able to enjoy all of it. Great word, Susan. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. It is, indeed, a wonderful life. Take care.” “Warrior” Joe
WOW Word-Of-the-Week #279: Grateful
November 29, 2009 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #279: Grateful
Grateful – appreciative; thankful.
Did your parents ever tell you how fortunate you were? Do you tell your children or grandchildren how fortunate they are? Do you feel grateful for the life you have?
This past week we celebrated Thanksgiving and it is always a time when people reflect on how fortunate and thankful they are. This year though, it seemed to me everyone felt more grateful. How about you?
You would think that couples facing job losses and foreclosure wouldn’t be grateful and yet newspaper stories this week focused on just that. Even in the face of possible failure and defeat they felt thankful for all that they had.
I have always believed that there will always be someone who has more things than I do and that I will have more things than someone else. But all that means nothing, if you don’t have your health, or the love and camaraderie of your family and friends.
Thanksgiving Camaraderie
This Thanksgiving was one of the best I ever had. Everybody got along and much of it was spontaneous. Could I be getting more flexible and less rigid the older I get? Is that what happens when you let go of needing everything to be perfect?
This week focus on those things in your life that you feel grateful for. Do you have your health? Do you need to connect with someone and let them know how thankful you are for having them in your life? Do you have children and/or grandchildren that give you great enjoyment?
Maybe having so many grand kids around made me feel more playful? I’m not exactly sure. But what I am sure of is that I am truly grateful to have so many wonderful family and friends and the joy they bring to my life!
Reader Responses
“Grateful is the perfect word for this time of year. As I approach my dotage, I find that the simple things are the most important. During my life I have never been a social climber. I realize that I don’t need very much to be happy. As long as my wife and kids are healthy, happy and terrific, that is really all that is important to me. I have told friends of mine that what I really enjoy is to simply sit in the backyard with a cup of coffee and a good book. I’m not a fussy person. I never aspired to be a millionaire. I just need enough to pay the bills and take a nice vacation with Kristen and the girls every year. My family has been blessed by good health, so it is something that I am very grateful for in my life. I read so many stories of those who have terrible diseases but have no insurance coverage. I am fortunate that through my work I have medical and dental coverage for my family. There are countless millions who don’t have any coverage. Hopefully, that will change with the passage of the Health Care Reform Act later this year or early next year. Growing up, my parents reminded us of the people around the world who were hungry and did not have anything in their lives. Now, I hear myself saying the same thing to my eight-year-old daughter at the dinner table when she won’t eat all of her vegetables. I don’t want to put the guilt trip on her, but I still tell her that one billion people in the world will go hungry that night. Because children have little perspective, they still have a tough time appreciating difficulties outside of their own little worlds. But, Erin Grace is learning. As part of her Brownie group at school, they have adopted a family in our area that is having a tough time making ends meet. The Brownies are preparing a food basket for that family, and will continue to do things during the year for it. There is a lot for which to be grateful for at this time of the year. Let’s try to remember that when others are worried about keeping up with the Joneses. Take care, Susan. Every best wish!” – “Warrior” Joe Moran.