Benefits of Gratitude Thinking & Living…..

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures" 

~ Thornton Wilder

"Writing a new HeART story", Encaustic Mixed Media, 2013

Feeling and being grateful for all the things that show up in our lives, really does make a difference in moving through the ebbs and flow of daily living.  Gratitude has proven to enhance well-being.  In an article by Robert A. Emmons and Anjali Mishra, "Why Gratitude Enhances Well-Being: What We Know, What We Need to Know", they share the following ways in which being grateful enhances our lives:

1. Gratitude facilitates coping with stress
2. Gratitude reduces toxic emotions resulting from self and social comparisons
3. Gratitude reduces materialistic strivings
4. Gratitude improves self-esteem
5. Gratitude enhances accessibility to positive memories
6. Gratitude builds social resources
7. Gratitude motivates moral behaviour
8. Grateful people are spiritually minded
9. Gratitude facilitates goal attainment
10. Gratitude promotes physical health

For more wonderful readings on gratitude and the benefits of it on our health, wellness and life, visit:  Dr. Robert Emmons Lab.  As sited from this link:  

"Grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions, life satisfaction, vitality, optimism and lower levels of depression and stress.  The disposition toward gratitude appears to enhance pleasant feeling states more than it diminishes unpleasant emotions.  Grateful people do not deny or ignore the negative aspects of life."  (http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/Labs/emmons/PWT/index.cfm?Section=5)

Above:  A Gratitude Vision Board created by Supria Karmakar

Some everyday things I am grateful for …..

Your Turn:  Take a look around and find three things you are grateful for in your everyday life.

On March 22nd, for the Spring Equinox 2014, Jill Davey of RiverSound Retreat and I, Supria Karmakar will be offering another daylong retreat exploring the topic of gratitude, opening to what is, vs. holding on or letting go, using meditation, yoga and vision board creation.  Come join us exploring gratitude and doing a day long retreat by the river in the beauty of the trees.   To register:  Jill@RiverSoundRetreat.com or call/text 519-993-7480