In multiple books including Option B, and Start Here: Life XT, I have come across the research finding that a specific practice of gratitude can be quite powerful.
The habit is: take paper and pencil and every evening before bed, write down three specific things that you are grateful for. I don’t mean “I have a good life.” More like “that person I met who gave me a 1950’s metal ukulele tuner just after my talk at Denver Health – that was amazing.” OK, or maybe something simpler like “I felt really good on the bike ride today.”
Research apparently shows that 30 days of repeated gratitude practice, of writing down three specific things you’re grateful for (trying not to repeat items) is as effective on a person’s mood, as TAKING AN ANTIDEPRESSANT.
Say again?
Not kidding. Look it up. We should all be doing this and teaching this.
This makes me think of Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music, “My Favorite Things,” which is perhaps the best musical expression of gratitude ever…
Childhood flashback; I have watched that movie EVERY December, since forever.
Remember: those coming on the journey: 3 minutes of meditation every day! I’m holding both of us accountable to this important habit!
CMIO’s take? What 3 things are YOU grateful for? Happy Christmas Eve, everyone!
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