Finding the unexpected power of selflessness
When I was but a young, self-proclaimed missionary attending church, my mother would play the piano and we’d sing the hymn Count Your Blessings, which encouraged us to name our blessings “one by one” to “see what God hath done.”
The dramatic and lasting effects of gratitude
Practicing gratitude boosts emotional and physical well being A growing body of research is confirming that an ounce of gratitude is worth a pound of cure. “The practice of gratitude can have dramatic and lasting effects in a person’s life,” said Robert
Revolution Hawaii member has epiphany of gratitude during homeless outreach
By Makensy Peiffer - If you were to go to bed at night and wake up with only the things you had thanked God for that previous day, how much would you have? Parents teach us to say “thank you,” but
5 Ways to give thanks beyond Thanksgiving
Giving thanks deserves more than a seat at one meal. Thanksgiving is a purposeful perspective to have toward life. Here are five things you can do to extend thanksgiving beyond one day to make gratitude a lifestyle. Soup kitchens For major holidays,
What it means to live with gratitude
If you’ve ever sang the hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” you may have stumbled over the word “ebenezer” traditionally written in the song’s second verse. At least I have. After a few attempts at using context clues, my
How do you give thanks?
Thirteenth century German theologian Meister Eckhart once said, “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” As Thanksgiving approaches, we celebrate some of our most beloved traditions. School children recreate colonial
Why we should start celebrating the ordinary
It’s an important part of living a life of gratitude. Celebration breeds excitement. We celebrate recurring events such as birthdays, anniversaries and holidays as well as the milestones such as, graduations, promotions, weddings, adoptions and births. We throw large parties and
Intentional living
I’ve been discovering the deep peace that is found in being fully present. A few things have helped. I’ve been experimenting with an app, Headspace, that teaches mindfulness as a daily practice. It’s been useful in my prayer life. On
The self and gratitude
Giving thanks involves being grateful. Being grateful requires self-awareness—self-definition. Traditionally, the Thanksgiving holiday provides each of us with opportunities to express our gratitude to those around us and to God for his grace, his many mercies, his loving care, his
10 ways to become more grateful
1. Keep a gratitude journal. Establish a daily practice in which you remind yourself of the gifts, grace, benefits, and good things you enjoy. Setting aside time on a daily basis to recall moments of gratitude associated with ordinary events,
Inspiring quotes on gratitude
"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." –William Arthur Ward This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. –Psalms 118:24 "I would maintain that
Being grateful
Fewer stress-related illnesses, lower blood pressure levels and stronger relationships among benefits of showing more gratitude Research shows us that focusing more on gratitude can make us happier and healthier in the long run. Dr. Robert Emmons, professor of psychology at UC