Ok, so it is not Thursday. Honestly, yesterday I tried to write on this blog something I was sincerely thankful for. Several times I sat down to do it and was just so overwhelmed with sleep deprived exhaustion that I could not drum up in my heart one thing to be thankful about.
Now don’t get me wrong, intellectually I could think of a multitude of things to give thanks for – my faith, my health, my family, my dear friends, protection, provision, shelter….really there is a never ending list. But my heart just wasn’t in it. I was consumed with my personal pity party of how utterly tired I was, how no one was helping around the house and how much I had to accomplish. As I fell down into bed last night, later than I desired, I was just plain miserable.
This morning…I am still tired. (the baby did not cooperate with my sleeping plan last night!) But I “happened” (God always gets my attention) to come across an article today in Readers Digest on the “new science of thank you”. It was a fascinating article on how scientific research has come to the conclusion that gratitude plays a huge role in physical & emotional well being.
The studies (there have been several) found that people who were consciously grateful:
- Felt better about their lives
- Were more optimistic
- Were more energetic
- Were more enthusiastic
- Were more determined
- Were more interested
- Were more joyful
- Exercised more
- Had fewer illnesses
- Got more sleep
- Were more likely to have helped someone else
Wow! Now that is one impressive list of the benefits of having an attitude of gratitude! All that simply from making the choice to be thankful…even when you may be overwhelmed, tired, or “done” with everything & everyone. Yesterday even in the midst of my tiredness I could have taken the mental discipline and written out what I was thankful for even though I didn’t “feel” thankful. One of the keys I have found to successful living is to do the right thing even when you do not feel like it. We cannot often control our feeling but we can control our actions.
I am thankful today!
- For my sweet children who are somewhat patiently waiting for me to finish this before we head out the door for a fun field trip!
- For the most darling adorable laughing baby boy
- For chocolate chip cookies
- For bright sunny skies
- For a husband who kissed me goodbye this morning & told me to have a great day
- For my daughter who is serving the Lord on the mission field in Africa & received her insulin just in the nick of time yesterday
- For the ability to negotiate with children
- For food in the cabinets today
- For a van that can carry all our family & still invite a plethora of friends to join us
- For the ability to nurse & nourish my sweet baby
Gotta run! I hope you take the time to be grateful today…it certainly is easier than exercising! (and it looks like it may just get you to the gym too!)
Inspire Ministries 