Robert Emmons, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, and the author of Gratitude Works! states, “When people are grateful they feel more alive.” He recommends putting sticky notes around the house to remind ourselves of what we have to be grateful for.” Or (Sixteen years of marriage and we haven’t killed each other yet.) How about (My daughter cleaned up her mess in the kitchen without being asked.) That could be in the miracle category. Just sayin!
Share details Emmons encourages, “Being personal and specific about gratitude is more important than expressing lots of it.” When we share our gratitude with those we love or work for or with, we need to focus on the details like, “You were so patient with the kids, Dear. I am lucky to have a man like you for a husband.” Or ”Thanks for your patience with me this week, Honey. I appreciate when you take up the slack at home when work gets crazy.” “Junior, you were so helpful when the cousins were here even when the little ones were cranky. I am very proud of you.”
Psychologists pretty universally recommend keeping a gratitude journal (research shows that people who do so routinely are up to 25% happier than those who don’t.) Write it in a journal, open a doc on your computer or keep track on your phone. And every time you add something new to your list, reread your past blessings. Talk about a game-changer!
David says in Psalms “to give thanks to the Lord, His love endures forever.” The Apostle Paul had something to say about that too. Thessalonians instructs us to give thanks in all things.
Philippians tell us not to be anxious about anything but in everything with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, to let our requests be made known to God. Again in Colossians 2:6-7, we read, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”