Divine Connection: Gratitude

Divine Connection: For bone-weary Moms who need to recollect themselves and reconnect with the Divine What if I told you there was a hot topic in scientific research  that is a  proven method of increasing your sense of well-being? This method  increases your happiness, reduces stress and depression, and helps you feel more satisfied  in your relationships and with life in general.  The people who employ this powerful method exhibit more control over their lives, produce more personal growth, have more self-acceptance, and have a greater sense of purpose in life.  This method is known as: Gratitude.  Grateful people enjoy all these benefits and they even sleep better! Gratitude is being thankful for a received benefit. The scientific journal called Emotion (2008 vol  8, 281-290)   reports that  the amount of gratitude we experience depends on our perception of three things: (1) the value of what is received (2) the cost to the one who gives, and (3) that it is given with  good intentions rather than ulterior motives.    Studies show  that a person who  feels grateful is motivated to seek out their benefactor and improve relationship with them. So  clearly,  a focus on Gratitude  to God is a way  to make  a Divine Connection! Related: Thought of the day I can think of no better example of a valuable benefit given at a high price than  Jesus on the cross, but  Will Smith does a great job of depicting sacrificial gifts in his movie  Seven Pounds. What if you were going through life with a disability or  limited life span because of  something deficient? What if it was your child? And what if someone willingly gave  their life to  help you?  How  grateful would you be? Wouldn’t you appreciate every little thing that so many take for granted–noticing the wonder of star light and yor baby breathing and  your husband’s smile?   Would that drive you to live more abundantly–kiss more, laugh more and share treasured moments with family and friends? Wouldn’t the rest of your time be lived not just for you but also  in the name of the one who gave it all for you? The psalmist wrote, “What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?” (Psalm 116:12) That’s the soul’s natural response to God in gratitude. What is your response? “Gratitude is the key to a virtuous life. Conversely, all sin boils down to ingratitude–to an abuse or neglect of God’s gifts.” ~Mark E. Thibodeaux Are there any of God’s  gifts you’ve abused  or under-appreciated lately? Perhaps this week you could practice gratitude especially for those gifts.  One way to practice gratitude is to write a letter to someone  for whom you are grateful.   Everyone loves to be appreciated. It is a practice that is life affirming and life building. “Express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it. ~Ralph Marston I am grateful for many things including you, dear reader.  You have my love and prayers for abundant living. God’s Peace, Leslie Stewart [see annotated research at Wikipedia.com entry for Gratitude]