What if I told you watching this video could show you a way to instantly boost your happiness? What if I told you that the research is backed by personal experience and science? Would you be willing to give it a shot yourself?
The more research I have done on happiness and fulfillment the more I am hearing about this one theme, the fastest way to boost your happiness is by expressing gratitude.
We have so much to be grateful for every day, why not start taking the time to focus on all of those things? The best part about gratitude is that it can be expressed in a million different ways! A hug, a smile, a genuine thank you, a nod, a tear, or just by telling someone you love them.
Thinking about your blessings and what you are grateful for is great, and it will absolutely make you happier, but do you really want to ramp it up? Bring someone else into it!
Don’t just think about your gratitude, start telling everyone in your life why you are grateful for them, start looking for reasons to embrace the people in your life both near and far.
Want a secret to make your happiness shoot through the roof and to bring your stress levels way down? (This is a tough one) Start to acknowledge why you are grateful for the people in your life that you don’t get along with, whether it be at work, school, or even someone in your family. Your initial reaction may be, “Well I am not grateful for them at all!” But when you take a moment to think about why they are in your life, you may realize something profound.
Try things like:
I am thankful for _______ because they helped teach me patience
I am thankful for _______ because when I opened up to him/her I learned that we had so much more in common than I thought, they taught me not to judge a book by its cover!
I am thankful for _______ because they challenge me to think of new ways to make them smile.
This may seem ridiculous at first when you think about the people in your life that frustrate you but I promise when you apply this principle to your life the effect is astonishing.
Do you need some help getting started thinking about what you are grateful for? Well, that’s why I’m here! Start with these simple questions and think about the answer deeply, let all of your senses come into it and take you back to these moments…
– When was the last time you said, “Thank you,” and really meant it?
– Who was the last person that made you laugh so hard your stomach started to hurt?
– Who was the last person who comforted you when you needed it most?
– Who was the last person that surprised you with a wonderful gift?
– When was the last time you said, “I love you and meant it with all your heart?”
– Who is the person who has had the biggest positive influence on your life?
– Who was the last person to encourage you to pursue a dream when no one else believed?
Now think for a moment, pick one and focus on it. Relive the moment, bring back the smile, the tears, the laughter, and let it run through you. My guess is that as soon as you do that… you will find yourself feeling pretty damn good.
The real challenge comes here… whoever the person was that did that for you, call them and tell them! I know it sounds crazy and goofy but try it and see how you feel, trust me you will be happy you did and you may just be the bright spot in another person’s otherwise dark day.
Take a moment, remember something good you shared, and bring it back up, your friend may need it even more than you.
Right now, I will do it myself for everyone to see to get the ball rolling 🙂
Mom, I am eternally grateful for everything you have done for me and continue to do every day. You are an amazing example of strength, faith, patience, confidence, and selflessness. One important trait you always taught Evan and I is the importance of being humble and it is something I work to maintain in my life to honor you and Dad both.
This is a thank you for every warm meal you made on a cold winter night, every hug you gave when you saw us hurting, every time you sat and listened late into the night when I needed someone to listen to, for every time I needed someone to laugh at a joke of mine and you laughed wholeheartedly, for every time you encouraged me when even I didn’t believe in myself, for your undying, unrelenting encouragement to inspire me to pursue my dreams.
Dad, I am not leaving you out of this one either. Mom and you both brought me different lessons, different perspectives, and contributed to different aspect of my personality but there is one thing that was consistent between you both. No matter what I dreamt up, you always told me it was possible and because of that, I now believe with everything in my heart that anything is possible and I have made it my life’s mission to help others see that same truth. Thank you for taking me to football practice, for helping me become a stronger athlete, a better man, and a better person. Above all thank you for teaching me how to properly treat the love of your life, you are an incredible role model in showing real love for the woman of your dreams.
There aren’t enough characters in the alphabet or words in any language to express how much I love you both. Your love always has and always will be an inspiration for me and I have used your story to help others believe in true love again. I love you both with all of my heart and can’t wait to see you both soon.
I am grateful for you both!
– For Mom