Kitty Boitnott, Ph.D., NBCT, RScP

Career Transition and Job Search Coach | Kitty at Career Makeover Coach

For today's video message, click here.

Gratitude...we all say we know that it is important, and I would venture to guess that most of us practice it at least on a superficial level all the time. Most of us probably say "Thank You," for example, a few dozen times during the course of any given day.

The science behind the importance of practicing gratitude as a way of being, however, is just beginning to gain more and more attention in mainstream society. Research is increasingly supporting the theory that practicing gratitude as a way of life helps us to live happier and more satisfying lives.

The list below offers the most obvious benefits of practicing gratitude on a regular basis:

• Stronger immune systems and lower blood pressure;

• Higher levels of positive emotions;

• More joy, optimism, and happiness;

• Acting with more generosity and compassion;

• Feeling less lonely and isolated.*

When was the last time you sat with yourself and just counted the dozens of blessings in your life...concentrating on each one and saying "Thank you, God," for each and every one? When was the last time you said, "I love you and I appreciate you," to your dearest loved one?

The theologian, philosopher and mystic, Meister Eckhart said, “If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”

So, I invite you today to say "Thank You" to all of those in your life who make it better, richer, and fuller. Practice saying, "Thank You," to your Maker silently throughout the day. Feel the feeling of gratitude for your many blessings and watch more blessings come your way at a faster and faster rate.

You create your life experience by thinking about what it is you are grateful for. That upon which you focus is what you expand in your consciousness. It is one of the Universal Laws of the Universe.

So, I ask you, if gratitude has all of these positive effects, why not practice it on a deeper and deeper level so that the benefits continue to be part of your experience?

Until next time.

* The benefits of practicing gratitude offered here are from an article entitled, "Expanding the Science and Practice of Gratitude" http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/expandinggratitude.

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