My Gratitude month comes to a close...

I was watching a rebroadcast this afternoon of last week's Music and the Spoken Word as I reflected on my month of Gratitude. Some days have been easier than others, and some days have been just flat out hard, but overall I have seen a difference as I have tried to focus on the positive at the end of the day instead of the negative. The following is part of the message...

Daily Gratitude and Thanksgiving
Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell
A few years ago, two researchers conducted what they called the Research Project on Gratitude and Thankfulness. They found through science what most of us know intuitively: gratitude makes people happy.
For the study, several hundred people were divided into three groups and asked to keep diaries. The first group listed the day’s events in their diaries, the second group recorded any unpleasant experiences they had during the day, and the last group made a daily list of things they were grateful for.
The researchers found that the simple act of taking time each day to count your blessings makes a person more enthusiastic, determined, optimistic, and energetic. Those who expressed gratitude experienced less depression and stress, exercised more regularly, and made more progress toward personal goals. Researchers even noted a relationship between feeling grateful and feeling loved, and they observed how gratitude inspires acts of kindness and compassion.1
Remarkable, isn't it? All this from daily gratitude and thanksgiving.

I know that I am better prepared for the holiday season, and (most days) I am more patient with my family. I hope that I can find something to continue the momentum throughout December and beyond too. Thank you to all of you who have commented and shared your thoughts with me as well. Having an "audience" has kept me diligent. I needed this.