Some thoughts on gratitude etc. on a rainy Wednesday morning in Texas (kaykay ramblings...) (scripture, prayers)

[kaykay]

Just some thoughts- I was reading an article in a magazine a couple of days ago (secular article) about the amazing benefits of living a "grateful" life. They had done an experiment and had people record 3 things they were grateful for every single day and at the end of the study the people were all happier, healthier, prettier and multi-millionaires! No, just seeing if you're paying attention here.... No, seriously, the people were all better off and more at peace than before. They also reported a link between people who tend to be "grateful" with better health. Just a myriad of good results.

I was also thinking about how psychologists have also reported that they have found that it is more psychologically and physically healthy to exercise forgiveness as opposed to holding a grudge.

Just interesting to me that as Christians, these are things we are consistently exhorted to do in scripture. Seems that not only are they morally the "right" thing to do, but they are also good for us!

Thoughts? Comments?

[arguy1973]

people who hold on to things..(a grudge for instance)..just seem to be in constant turmoil..and constant turmoil equates into health problems..high bp..stroke..the need to "get away from it" and some turn to drugs. alcohol, etc to do that...

[dojilynn]

Originally Posted by kaykay

They had done an experiment and had people record 3 things they were grateful for every single day and at the end of the study the people were all happier, healthier, prettier and multi-millionaires! No, just seeing if you're paying attention here.... No, seriously, the people were all better off and more at peace than before. They also reported a link between people who tend to be "grateful" with better health. Just a myriad of good results.

About a year ago, my son was always complaining when I tucked him in at night. He would go through a list of things that he didn't get to do that day, or things that had gone wrong. It was driving me crazy because he seemed to remember every itty bitty thing that was bad. I told him that I was making a new rule. Now, every night when I tuck him in, before saying our prayers, he has to tell me what made him happy that day. Sometimes if he's in a particular grumpy mood, he'll growl that nothing made him happy. I just start listing out the things that I know about and before he know it, he's laughing and smiling, remembering the good in the day. Works like a charm.