Scanning for Gratitude

I was recently in a class that centered on mindset and personal growth, and we go onto the topic of Gratitude. Did you know that studies have been done on gratitude and how it affects a person in their daily life? One study actually found that if you write down 5 things you are grateful every morning when you wake up, that your brain will start to naturally scan the world for things to be grateful for?
A couple of examples:

• A snowy morning, traffic, slippery roads: “I am so grateful for the change in seasons we experience and the beauty of freshly fallen snow.”
• Crazy morning, getting everyone out the door on time: “I am grateful that I have a family that I can serve; these challenges are growing me and expanding my “bandwidth.”

As we discussed gratitude in the class, the instructor had us write down 5 people we are grateful to have in our lives. Can you think of 5 right now? Write them down. Next step? Call them. Call them right now and tell them that you are grateful for them.
Considering the craziness all around us, and the busyness of life, we can all benefit from scanning the world for ways to be grateful. If you made those calls (I hope you did!), I am sure you are feeling the “warm and fuzzy” of what you thought might be an awkward conversation that perhaps ended in happy tears or heartwarming conversations around gratitude. Blessings to you this holiday season; I am grateful for YOU!