I recently did a talk in Palm Springs, California on Gratitude to a group of people. The talk was videotaped and sent around the world and reached over 400 people in one day. It was amazing how many people said this one simple idea of writing in a book about the things they were grateful for changed their lives. It made such a difference. Knowing that the holidays is sometimes a stressful time for many, it would be a great topic for my article this month.
During the holidays it's so easy for us to get stressed out. We have the normal things we do every day at home, at work, with our families, with all the things we need to do to get ready for the holidays. Letting ourselves get stressed out is not healthy. We need to take time each day and look at what we have and what we are grateful for.
Many people get stressed out because money is tight and they can't buy presents. A present from the heart is a much greater gift that something you go out and buy. Taking time from your busy schedule with your family, watching a movie together, learning about each other's day and relaxing with your pet is good medicine.
When you are feeling down get your Gratitude book, read it and see how grateful you really are and what you have in your life. These are things money cannot buy.
Start a gratitude jar to “Pay it Forward”. Start keeping your spare change. When the jar is full, use the money to "Pay it Forward". Buy flowers for a deserving person. Take someone to lunch, or something that is totally free. Smile at a stranger. That just might make their day and certainly will make you happy.
Research shows that people who receive your good deeds will be more likely to follow suit with doing their own good deeds to. Gratitude has powerful effects on physical health, social relationships, and self-worth. Experiencing gratitude also builds the mental and physical resilience needed to overcome life’s stresses and challenges.
Robert Emmons, a leading researcher on the effects of gratitude, has conducted decades of research showing that gratitude improves both physical and psychological well-being. Emmons has studied people of all ages to demonstrate the wide reaching impact of gratitude on the human experience, on our personal satisfaction, social connectedness and physical health.
People who regularly practice gratitude report higher levels of positive emotions, including more joy, pleasure, happiness and optimism. These people also tend to have stronger social relationships and fewer feelings of isolation and loneliness, perhaps resulting from the fact that they are shown to be more generous, compassionate and forgiving. Gratitude can reduce the frequency or duration of episodes of depression.
As you venture through these holidays, remember there is so much in your life to be grateful for. Don't waste your time on negative energy or negative people. You are totally in charge of your destiny. Where you go is totally up to you. With a positive attitude and gratitude you can do anything.
My best wishes to you and your loved ones for a wonderful holiday season. I am most grateful for every person in my life as I am totally blessed with so many things to be grateful for.
Robbie Motter is a marketing/PR Consultant, Certified National Speaker, Radio Show Host, Author and Writer, Board Member of the Temecula Valley Symphony, PR Chair for the Menifee Valley Lions Club, Member of the Menifee Valley and Wildomar Chamber of Commerce, she also serves as the Nafe (National Association of Female Executives) Global Coordinator. She can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 951-255-9200, her website is www.robbiemotter.com
