4 WAYS TO CELEBRATE WORLD GRATITUDE DAY

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

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Wednesday, September 21 is World Gratitude Day. 
The idea to have this annual, worldly focus on and expression of gratitude was born in the meditation room of the United Nations by Sri Chinmoy, an Indian spiritual leader and meditation teacher almost 60 years ago. 

And as Chip points out in our opening quote, the research soundly supports some pretty compelling reasons why.  Download my free The Benefits of Gratitude to find out what those benefits are.  You don't have to enter your email.  No irritating pop-ups.  No more junk mail.  It's simply my way of expressing gratitude to you for reading my blog.

So, here they are in reverse order:

4.  Recognize your direct-reports.
When the benefactor (the giver) is someone higher in relative social status or power, a gift (like gratitude) is seen as more deliberate and meaningful, compared to say a family member or coworker.  This leads the recipient to feel and express more gratitude and starts a positive, upward spiral of positivity.  As a leader, when you praise, thank, and provide your direct reports benefits of any type, your authentic words and actions have power.

3.  Carry a gratitude rock.
Find a small stone and carry it around in your pocket.  Then, throughout the day, whenever you notice it in your pocket, think of something that your grateful for.  This helps increase being grateful and happy about your day in a spontaneous way.  I've practiced this ritual off an on for many years.  I start the ritual in the morning when I pick it up off the nightstand to put it in my pocket.  I say at least one thing I’m grateful for—sometimes more—to get my day started.  At the end of the day, when I’m putting my things away, I do it again. 

2.  Conduct a Gratitude Letter and Visit Ritual.
Originated by Chris Peterson at the University of Michigan, this strategy has scientific proof that it works.  Here’s what you do:  Spend some time reflecting on a person in your life who has been especially kind to you but whom you've never properly thanked.  Then, sit down and write a detailed gratitude letter to that person.  In the letter, explain in concrete and specific terms why you're grateful.  After you’ve completed the letter and you’re satisfied with it, schedule a visit with that person.  During your visit, read the letter aloud to them.  Research by Martin Seligman, PhD and colleagues revealed that this technique produces large positive changes in happiness for up to one month, not to mention the positive changes it can do for your relationship with that person.

1.  Keep a Gratitude Journal.
Of all the techniques, this one is by far my favorite because of its power and long-term effects.  Here’s what you do: 

As late in day as possible but before you’re too sleepy sit down and write down 3-5 things that you are grateful for that day.  After each entry, also write down why you think each event happened or why you’re grateful for it.  Do this for a minimum of 21 days.  The technique only takes about 5-10 minutes.  I’ve found that couples or friends who do this together and share it, report more profound effects. 

Martin Seligman, the father of positive psychology, and colleagues reported in 2005 on answers they found to the question, “What really works when trying to increase happiness?” (Seligman, Stern, Park, & Peterson, 2005).  One of the most powerful interventions that really worked at increasing happiness was practicing a form of a daily gratitude journal that they called the ‘Three Good Things in Life’ intervention.  It took about a month for the increases in happiness to become statistically significant, even if done for only one week.  So, a little patience in the beginning is necessary.  The happiness levels continued to rise after that—all the way out to six months!  It absolutely amazes me that something so simple  and free  can have such a powerful and long-lasting effect on happiness. 

Happy World Gratitude Day!

Have an amazing journey today!

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