Thankfulness and Happiness

In keeping with this week's theme of thankfulness, I want you to consider the fact that being thankful can lead to happiness. Not just fake happiness, but a really deep emotional feeling of well being.

Ok, so now you're thinking that's easy for me to say, but I don't know your situation. You are not sure how you are going to pay your bills, your teenage son is causing all kinds of problems and using bad language, you never seem to be able to find a partner with whom you can establish a good and lasting relationship, and your parents are getting older and demanding more of your time to care for them.

Well, let me tell you that you should begin to look for the things that you can be thankful for. Of course whatever is going wrong in your life will be there; however, it has been shown that true happiness can be derived from being thankful. Begin by thanking God (or thank the universe if you prefer) that you have the ability to use the internet and read this blog and get information from other useful sites.

Early tomorrow morning think of at least three things that you can be thankful for during the day. They may be:

• You live in a country where you have freedom of speak your mind, read what you want, and worship in the way you choose or not at all.
• It's snowing today so you get to wear your new winter coat, gloves and boots or you get the chance to buy new ones.
• All the older members of your family that are still alive.
• The love and support of your best friends.
• Your boss won't be in today.
• Your old car is still running long after you thought it would give out.

Whatever you decide to be thankful for, say it out loud. You may also want to write it down. In a journal if that's your style, if not jot it on the calendar. "Thank you universe that my wife mowed the lawn." "Thank you God that my husband made dinner."

Now, here's the amazing part. When we feel enthusiastic about something, we begin to manifest that enthusiasm in physical ways. When your favorite sports team is winning, you shout, cheer, smile, raise your arms, jump up and down, and dance around. Did you know that psychological studies have shown that it works in reverse, too? If you act enthusiastically, you will feel enthusiastic inside! It's true. Not only that, but it's catching. When you see someone acting enthusiastic, you begin to feel and act that way too. That's what cheerleaders are all about. The best salespeople and successful politicians know this too.

So, be enthusiastic when you give thanks. You will have to make yourself do it at first, but that's what makes the feelings happen. Keep doing this until it becomes a habit. For most people, an unexpected thing starts to happen. You begin to feel real happiness and you begin giving thanks even for the things that seem not to be going right.

You might say, "Thank you God for this time when I do not have a job that has allowed me to really think about the ideal job that I want." "Thank you universe that my son is healthy and is working his way through this rebellious stage in his life." I know from experience that if you do this you will not have to settle for just any job, your ideal job will come along, your son will make it through his rebellious period and move on with his life. By expressing thanks for things in your life, you show God/the universe that you are ready to take on more good things.

For more on how being thankful can help you in many ways see this article that appeared in the Montgomery Advertiser from Gannett News Service.

Michael Britner
Job Finding Master