What, Me? Thankful? part 6

No, we’re not finished. And yes, these still come directly from the Harvard School of Medicine —

PREVIOUSLY Write a thank-you note. You can make yourself happier and nurture your relationship with another person by writing a thank-you letter or email expressing your enjoyment and appreciation of that person’s impact on your life. Send it, or better yet, deliver and read it in person if possible. Make a habit of sending at least one gratitude letter a month. Once in a while, write one to yourself.

AND Thank someone mentally. No time to write? It may help just to think about someone who has done something nice for you, and mentally thank the individual.

AND Keep a gratitude journal. Make it a habit to write down or share with a loved one thoughts about the gifts you’ve received each day.

AND Count your blessings. Pick a time every week to sit down and write about your blessings — reflecting on what went right or what you are grateful for. Sometimes it helps to pick a number — such as three to five things — that you will identify each week. As you write, be specific and think about the sensations you felt when something good happened to you.

TODAY Pray. 

People who are religious can use prayer to cultivate gratitude.

— You and I both know that people who are religious can also use prayer for other purposes entirely. See Luke 18:9-14 for what Christ Jesus says about this.

And then by contrast….