Grateful, Thankful & Blessed

Posted by: Jim Petzel 5 years, 10 months ago

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The phrase "Thank you" ranks in the top three in my mind as the most powerful phrases in the English language. Along with "I love you" and "I am sorry" the expression of thanks is full of impact. There is something unique about it -- about feeling blessed that is difficult to explain -- but it is very noticeable and exceptionally real.

Scientists would say that thankfulness is scientifically good for us. “Clinical trials indicate that the practice of gratitude can have dramatic and lasting effects in a person’s life,” according to Robert A. Emmons, professor of psychology at UC Davis. “It can lower blood pressure, improve immune function and facilitate more efficient sleep.”

While red wine and a hefty portion of turkey can put you into a coma on Thanksgiving day, we are all far better off filling our hearts full of thanks and filling our mouths full of words that bless others on that day and every other.

I have also noticed that thankfulness is contagious. Earlier this year I drafted a note of thanks to a mentor and posted it because I was frustrated by some comments on social media. I was amazed by the public outpouring of thanks with similar feelings of gratitude. This made me realize that too often we leave our thanks bottled up. This habit of keeping it to ourselves is probably bad for everyone involved. If someone, however, starts the process a number of others can participate and a multiplication effect of thanksgiving takes place.

As we role into the month of November and the Thanksgiving season in the US, I am reminded that it is difficult to screw up the meaning of this holiday but many still do somehow. Some fear the holiday season because of broken relationships and bad memories, but it will do us a world of good to figure out what we are thankful for and express it to the people that need to know. It may just go viral to those around us and it will always be good for our own heart, our own mind and our own soul.

While 2017 has had its challenges for many of us, I certainly feel blessed in so many ways and by so many people. Thanks so much for all you do and for who you are!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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