Key Research Around Gratitude

A long-term research project into Gratitude and Thankfulness by Professors  Robert A. Emmons, University of California, Davis  and  Michael E. McCullough, University of Miami   proposes that ‘Gratitude is the “forgotten factor” in happiness research and seeks to ‘create and disseminate a large body of novel scientific data on the nature of gratitude, its causes, and its potential consequences for human health and well-being’

The research recognises that ‘Scientists are latecomers to the concept of gratitude.  Religions and philosophies have long embraced gratitude as an indispensable manifestation of virtue, and an integral component of health, wholeness, and well-being.’  (The project is supported by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation).

The research findings so far suggest:

• ‘those who kept gratitude journals on a weekly basis exercised more regularly, reported fewer physical symptoms, felt better about their lives as a whole, and were more optimistic about the upcoming week compared to those who recorded hassles or neutral life events ’
• ‘ those who kept gratitude lists were more likely to have made progress toward important personal goals (academic, interpersonal and health-based) over a two-month period compared to others;
• a daily gratitude activity/exercise resulted in ‘higher reported levels of the positive states of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, attentiveness and energy compared to a focus on hassles’ ;
• participants in  ‘daily gratitude … were more likely to report having helped someone with a personal problem or having offered emotional support to another;
• in ’a sample of adults with neuromuscular disease, a 21-day gratitude activity resulted in greater amounts of high energy, positive moods, a greater sense of feeling connected to others, more optimistic ratings of one’s life, and better sleep duration and sleep quality’;
• ‘children who practice grateful thinking have more positive attitudes toward school and their families (Froh, Sefick, & Emmons, 2008 );
• most people report being grateful (an average rating of nearly 6 on a 7 point scale);
• ‘grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions, life satisfaction, vitality, optimism and lower levels of depression and stress. …. Grateful people do not deny or ignore the negative aspects of life’ ;
• ‘people with a strong disposition toward gratitude have the capacity to be empathic and to take the perspective of others.  They are rated as more generous and more helpful by people in their social networks ‘ (McCullough, Emmons, & Tsang, 2002 );
• ‘Spirituality:  Those who regularly attend religious services and engage in religious activities such as prayer or reading religious material are more likely to be grateful.  Grateful people are more likely to acknowledge a belief in the interconnectedness of all life and a commitment to and responsibility to others. Gratitude does not require religious faith, but faith enhances the ability to be grateful’; (McCullough et. al., 2002);
• ‘Materialism:  Grateful individuals place less importance on material goods; they are less likely to judge their own and others success in terms of possessions accumulated; they are less envious of others; and are more likely to share their possessions with others’.

Come explore the people, places, and things that have a space in your retirement plan. Learn to free your spirit and soul while creating resources for retirement. Retirement becomes a threat when we exclusively look at money as the goal. This unique approach softens retirement to a holistic well thought out process rather than a cut off point of our lives. Spiritual retirement does not exclude the money we need, but uses it as a piece of the puzzle to building this new stage of your life. So while learning about money, we will learn about its interconnectedness to our whole life. It is never too early or late in your career to start this process. The insights, ideas and exercises are designed to support your creation of a satisfying life today and a better understanding of your life tomorrow.

One day not too long ago the employees of a large company in St. Louis, Missouri returned from their lunch break and were greeted with a sign on the front door. The sign said: "Yesterday the person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away. We invite you to join the funeral in the room that has been prepared in the gym."

At first everyone was sad to hear that one of their colleagues had died, but after a while they started getting curious about who this person might be.

The excitement grew as the employees arrived at the gym to pay their last respects. Everyone wondered: "Who is this person who was hindering my progress? Well, at least he's no longer here!"

One by one the employees got closer to the coffin and when they looked inside it they suddenly became speechless. They stood over the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the deepest part of their soul.

There was a mirror inside the coffin: everyone who looked inside it could see himself. There was also a sign next to the mirror that said: "There is only one person who is capable to set limits to your growth: it is YOU.

You are the only person who can revolutionize your life. You are the only person who can influence your happiness, your realization and your success. You are the only person who can help yourself.

Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your parents change, when your partner changes, when your company changes. Your life changes when YOU change, when you go beyond your limiting beliefs, when you realize that you are the only one responsible for your life.

"The most important relationship you can have, is the one you have with yourself."

Water is an absolute essential for every living thing. Water is life giving, cleansing and absolutely essential for optimal health.