Thanksgiving

It seems like there is always some challenge or other in front of us. Even so, most of us have many things to be thankful for. Focusing on those things on just one day a year is not enough. Happiness research has shown that we need to think about what we are grateful for and things that went well on a regular basis. Are you ready to be systematic about counting your blessings? Consider the various aspects of your life – work, family, social, spiritual, hobbies. Here are some options for ways to approach this new task, if you aren’t already doing so.

• Review what went well during the day each night before bed.

• Keep a happiness journal, recording things you are grateful for once a week or more.

• Ask your family to share special moments one evening a week at dinner.

I hope you will give this a try. One of the most readable and fun books on the science of happiness and how to apply it in your life is The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. It is a best-seller for a reason! Visit her Happiness Project blog, too.