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Thanksgiving: a path to happiness and health
In October 1789, President George Washington declared his support for a day of "public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God."
Do you have a Thanksgiving blessing or prayer? What are you grateful for?
Thanksgiving is here and I love the holiday. I also appreciate that being thankful can be challenging in difficult times, whether the challenges are related to finances, health, or relationships. But it's precisely when we find ourselves in challenging circumstances that thankfulness is especially valuable and helpful.
Gratitude is actually medically proven to lift our spirits and improve our health. And while this may disappoint some folks, the object of our gratitude is entirely irrelevant, at least in terms of the health and happiness benefits which it creates.
Perhaps because Hanukkah is also fast-approaching, I find myself thinking in 8's. Whatever the reason, the following eight simple steps will actually help us all to stay a little more thankful this Thanksgiving and find new happiness because we are.
1. Find what you're grateful for. The real uncertainty we face about our futures can make us quite fearful and sad. Locating those things for which we can still be grateful, brings joy even in the face of those challenges without pretending they are not real.
2. Articulate it. Tell a friend or loved one a story about something for which you are grateful. Don't be surprised to find yourself smiling by the end of that story.
3. Consider the difference between wealth and value. While material wealth is important, it is not the only source of real value in our lives. We can all celebrate value, even when the material wealth in our lives is taking a beating.
4. Remember that wealth begins within. An ancient rabbinic teaching reminds us that we are wealthy when we are happy with what we possess.
5. Acknowledge that happiness and satisfaction are different. We can want more than we currently have and still be happy with what we've got. Wanting more does not have to get in the way of enjoying what we already have. If it does, we will never have enough.
6. Appreciate that abundance, be it relationships or in material wealth is all relative. A person who lives in a $100,000 house in a neighborhood of $75,000 homes experiences living in a mansion. The same house in a neighborhood of $500,000 homes may feel like a hovel.
7. Help yourself by helping others. The holidays are a great time to reach out to other people in need. Helping others address their needs is one of the best ways to relieve the anxiety we may feel about our own.
8. We all have something to give. No matter how difficult our circumstances may be, we can all offer support to those around us. Whether it's a penny, a hug, or much more, the act of giving always makes us feel as if we have more than we thought we had.
Happy Thanksgiving!
By
Brad Hirschfield
|
November 24, 2010; 2:22 PM ET
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Posted by: david6 | November 28, 2010 10:00 AM
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Thanks for the presence to our Lord. As a matter of fact we depend on the closest neighbor even in the Leadership and of course in inner of Government authority.
I believe like last a night before Christmas to Pope Benedict XVI by the closer one, gun to previous Pope John II from the closer too, and also the assasination of President John F. Kennedy.
Posted by: andrebudianto | November 26, 2010 5:46 AM
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Mr. HIRSCHFIELD;
Please see What the None-KAFIRs are plotting against US, as Americans Celebrate their Last Thank Giving on Earth. This is what happens when WE are too nice, for a price.
EXCERPT: ".. Wikileaks documents show Turkey helped al-Qaeda..."
Posted by: iamamerican | November 25, 2010 8:20 PM
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A THANKSGIVING PSALM
Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him; sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered. He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be held in awe above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place. Ascribe to the LORD, O clans of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring thanksgiving and come before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!” Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!—I Chronicles 16
Have a thankful Thanksgiving.
Posted by: RCofield | November 25, 2010 12:14 PM
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BS. I need not thank anyone. My family walks alone. We work for what we get. There is no god to thank. I know this because if one existed why would she let my son die horribly and slow. What kind of "loving" god would let something like that happen? No thanks.
Posted by: johng1 | November 24, 2010 7:08 PM
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Forgiveness - thanking for the abilitly to forgive, especially those who hate us and wish to hurt us.....Muslims who hate us, yet we do not ask them why?
Forgive, as in the Lord's prayer. "forgive us our trespasses, as we FORGIVE those who trespass against us "
Thank God and hope He gives us the ability to do this.
Posted by: d2K4xAqw | November 24, 2010 6:14 PM
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Johng1:
While I don't believe in any gods, I also know that humans do not walk alone. We are parts of communities and rely on each other for many things. The idea that people are doing it by themselves is a pernicious lie that the far right has been encouraging for years and is destroying this country. My condolences on the slow death of your child.