Gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving!  The holiday today is a wonderful reminder to find things to be grateful for.  There have been many times in my life where this has come pretty easy.  But, there have also been times when I have really only been able to look for the “silver lining” in what were in some pretty hard circumstances.

Abundant research indicates that people who practice gratitude regularly are more happy.  Turns out, it isn’t necessarily our circumstances that make us happy, but how we view them!  I read a book years ago, and I am re-reading it now, that addresses the topic of being grateful when things aren’t fluffy and easy.  If you are a reader, I highly recommend Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts.  
A lot of my training as a health coach stems from the field of Positive Psychology.  Often with clients we will discuss what "silver linings" can be gleaned from hard circumstances that got in the way of fully meeting a goal that was set. 

Today, I am thankful for rock climbing with family and friends (and my dog!). I am thankful for the gifts God gave us in the mountains here in West Virginia. I am thankful for you all.  So, take a minute today and practice some gratitude yourself.  I invite you to comment below with what you are thankful for:

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