Show Gratitude

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.”

- Denis Waitley

Prof. Robert Emmons is Professor of Psychology at UC Davis and has studied the impact of gratitude on mood for over 10 years. His research has 3 key findings:

1. The practice of gratitude can increase happiness levels by around 25%.
2. A few hours writing a gratitude journal over 3 weeks can create an effect that lasts 6 months if not more.
3. Cultivating gratitude brings other health effects, such as longer and better quality sleep time.

Another study showed that writing a gratitude letter to someone who had a positive impact on your life and then finding that person and reading it to them, caused a 30% increase in your happiness. The increase lasted up to 3 days, with effects lasting up to 3 months. All this happened from one letter!

OK, I’m sold. I can write a letter. I can be more consciously grateful.

I am grateful for Prof. Robert Emmons’ research.
I am grateful for my winter break that gave me time to self-reflect.

Gratefully yours,
Bright Star Dreams