Practicing an Attitude of Gratitude

Don Colbert M.D

America has seen quite a few changes this year. The unemployment rate has risen from 7.6% in January to 10.0% as of December 1st. This is a startling figure to say the least. About 2.5 million American's received foreclosure notices on their homes this year alone. With all of this negativity going on in the world, the Christmas season can be an especially difficult time for Americans and their families. The recession has affected Americans a great deal and I believe that this is an excellent time to practice and attitude of gratitude. Gratitude is the simplest and easiest emotion to practice in order to balance the autonomic nervous system. Joy, love and peace also help to balance the autonomic nervous system, but are much more difficult to practice.
In my office I see a multitude of cases, from people that simply want to lose weight to patients that are battling stage 4 cancer. The one piece of advice I give to everyone that walks into my exam room is to practice gratitude. Now, more than ever it is crucial that you are grateful for what you have and all the blessings you have received this year. Recall the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life" with Jimmy Stewart, he had an "Aha moment" or epiphany and realized all of his blessings. We take the simplest things for granted and we need to realize just how fortunate and blessed we all are! Understand that if you have a house or apartment, a car, a job, food, clothing and good health you are blessed abundantly. I encourage all of my patients to begin each day by getting out of bed and saying, "This is the day the Lord has made, I will (choose to) rejoice and be glad in it." I also recommend making a gratitude list, and within that list thanking Him for the following: your eyesight, hearing, taste, smell, ability to touch, walk, to be living free of pain, the use of your fingers, hands, arms, legs, feet, back and neck. Thank Him for your hot water, place to live, car to drive, food to eat, water to drink, your heater and air conditioner, your furniture, and refrigerator, etc. Thank Him for your spouse, children, relatives, friends, job, boss, etc. I encourage you to review this list daily. Recite it aloud frequently, and update it periodically. Psalms 22:3 says, "God inhabits the praises of his people."
Researchers in Positive Psychology are finding that gratitude and its related benefits are enhanced by the mindful savoring of any pleasurable experience, weather it 's a beautiful sunrise, a visit with family or friends, or of course, a good meal. Savoring seems to intensify the emotional dimension of the memory, thereby helping the mind store its positive essence for later benefit. Try it: the next time you're especially enjoying an experience, slow down and really focus on whatever aspect of it you find especially pleasant. To magnify the results, be especially attentive to what you see, hear, and feel, both physically and emotionally, For added benefit, tell yourself to "remember this". You've just added to your emotional bank account! I encourage you in these tough times to keep a gratitude journal and each day make it a point to write down at least one thing that you are grateful for. Have a wonderful Christmas and remember what the Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."