About WindRiver Strategies Gratitude helps us cope with stress and trauma. Simply, the ability to reinterpret our life circumstances and events helps us reframe something negative and possible debilitating into something that helps us learn and build our life as we move forward. In those who are regularly grateful, "Interestingly, people instinctively express gratitude when confronted with adversity. For example, in the days immediately after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, gratitude was found to be the second most commonly experienced emotion after sympathy." (Lyobomirsky, p93)
Years ago I was reading a book by Winston Churchill's chauffeur. Winston commented as they were driving through London after a bombing that he knew they would win the war. Why? He observed an 80 year old lady out in the streets shaking her fist at the skies, sweeping up debris with a broom...defiant and grateful to be alive.
A severely disabled patient remarked, " My happiest moment is a kind of perverse one. It was the day that I came home from the hospital, after my accident. I felt defiant. I said, 'Ha! I'm still alive! I beat you!' I don't know who exactly I beat. But I felt grateful that I was home. It was a little thing but being home from the hospital after four months was so good." (p. 94)
Thanks to Sonya Lyubomirsky and The How of Happiness
Years ago I was reading a book by Winston Churchill's chauffeur. Winston commented as they were driving through London after a bombing that he knew they would win the war. Why? He observed an 80 year old lady out in the streets shaking her fist at the skies, sweeping up debris with a broom...defiant and grateful to be alive.
A severely disabled patient remarked, " My happiest moment is a kind of perverse one. It was the day that I came home from the hospital, after my accident. I felt defiant. I said, 'Ha! I'm still alive! I beat you!' I don't know who exactly I beat. But I felt grateful that I was home. It was a little thing but being home from the hospital after four months was so good." (p. 94)
Thanks to Sonya Lyubomirsky and The How of Happiness
Benefits of Gratitude Series
Benefits of Gratitude: Savoring Life’s Good Times (1)
Benefits of Gratitude: Builds Self-Esteem (2)
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Benefits of Gratitude: Savoring Life’s Good Times (1)
Benefits of Gratitude: Builds Self-Esteem (2)
Related Articles
7 Strategies to Becoming a Happier Person (1)
Does Money Make You Happy?
“Why Be Happy? It Can’t Buy You Money” said Henny Youngman
Myths of Happiness (Part 1)
Myth #2: I Must Change My Circumstances To Be Happy (Part 2)
Myth #3: You Are Either Happy Or You’re Not (Part 3)
What’s More Important: GDP or Gross domestic Happiness?
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