The Power of Magic and Gratitude

This post is from the wonderful Kimberly Montgomery of Fifty Jewels. Kimberly is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post 50 blog where she shares tips on making the most of Midlife.
She is also the co-creator of the successful Making Midlife Matter online magazine that highlights the best in Midlife living.

If you want to know the secret to a happier life, then read this wonderful guest post from Kimberly.

 

 

What if I told you that 4 little sentences could dramatically change your life?

Substantially increase your Happiness?

Improve your heath?

Raise your self esteem?

Lower your blood pressure and help you sleep more soundly?

 
What if I told you that writing down 4 little sentences daily could start you on a path to a life you’ve always dreamed of living?

 
Filled with joy.

And peace.

And contentment.

 
Would you want the secret?

Would it be worth it to you?

Would you be willing to spend the time?

Could you commit to the 4 little sentence daily?

 
If your answer is YES, read on . . .

 
GRATITUDE.

That’s the powerful secret to dramatically changing your life and creating a joyous world for you to experience.

We’ve all heard of the benefits of Gratitude — heck, my grandmother would have told you over a plate of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and okra. (YUM!)

Now the scientific community is throwing millions of dollars into research on this happy little attitude.

UC Davis psychologist Robert Emmons, author of “Thanks!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier”, writes:

In an experimental comparison, 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 their lives as a whole, and were more optimistic about the upcoming week compared to those who recorded hassles or neutral life events (Emmons & McCullough, 2003).

The Harvard Health Publication reports:

Another leading researcher in this field, Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman, a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, tested the impact of various positive psychology interventions on 411 people, each compared with a control assignment of writing about early memories. When their week’s assignment was to write and personally deliver a letter of gratitude to someone who had never been properly thanked for his or her kindness, participants immediately exhibited a huge increase in happiness scores. This impact was greater than that from any other intervention, with benefits lasting for a month.

The best part is this is WRITING IN A JOURNAL — something each of us can start immediately!

Commit to this small, easy to do practice for one month, and the changes in your life will make you never want to give it up!
Are you ready to take the first step and get started?

Here’s How:

1. Right when you wake up in the morning, note 3 things in your Gratitude Journal that you’re grateful for.

Be specific.

Writing “I’m grateful for my family” will not have the meaningful impact that “I’m grateful to my husband for rubbing my feet last night” will.

2. Right before bed, note one more thing you’re grateful for. Again, be specific.

Here are a few tips that will keep you motivated and on track:

• Get a journal that is beautiful and inviting. You’ll be more excited to write your gratitudes out if you love where you’re noting them.
• Place the journal, along with a pen, on your bedside table.
• Write your morning gratitudes while you’re still in bed. It will start your day off on a positive note right from the beginning, and you won’t forget by being distracted once your day starts.
• Write your evening gratitude right before you fall asleep. This will put your mind in a happy place as you nod off.

Do this daily and watch how your life takes on a new lightness and joy!

You can do this. I believe in you and your power to increase your happiness and improve your life.

Get started today!

 

Thank you Kimberly for your guest post. You can visit Kimberly’s website at Fifty Jewels, or her pages on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram.