Benefits of Gratitude While Thanksgiving Day may have hurried by, the spirit of thanksgiving is a treasure we can endeavor to carry forward. The act of giving thanks brings inner peace, turns what we have into enough, and gives hope for tomorrow. Gratitude is about noticing simple pleasures and acknowledging the miracle of life. I am grateful for the privilege of being the doctor you trust. Having patients that appreciate the time I take makes it possible for me to again love my career as a doctor. Thank you for having faith in me as I endeavor to be a family doctor with time to understand your needs, plan quality care and be there for the unexpected. I am only successful because you appreciate that quality care takes time. Thank you for being a part of my practice and spreading the word that family doctors with time to know and understand their patients may be few but still exist. There is so much I am grateful for. I am grateful for being a citizen of this country. I am grateful for having Laura, Earnestine, Melissa and Joyce help me serve your needs. There is so much I’m grateful for in the people, events, and situations that are part of my life. The act of being grateful has a positive effect on my mental and physical well being. Making gratitude part of my day deepens my satisfaction by helping keep me focused on things greater than myself. At times, it even enlightens and inspires me. Over 40 research studies have shown gratitude increases happiness, improves our relationships, and makes us healthier. Perhaps you would like to know more about benefits the act of gratitude can provide? For additional ideas read “The 31 Benefits of Gratitude You Didn’t Know About: How Gratitude Can Change Your Life” Perhaps you already practice the habit of gratitude. If not, and 31 reasons didn’t convince you then join me for a morning walk and I’ll share a few more. For example, I’ m grateful to learn you’ve made a lifestyle change that adds quality to your life. Perhaps you will take a walk today and share the wonder with someone special. May I be that person? I would be grateful. As for this Saturday morning’s walk in the park, I expect to be especially grateful for my warm coat, hat and gloves. Winter morning can look dreary or be an opportunity filled with the mysteries and wonder of a world cleverly hibernating in anticipation of Spring. Dressing with layers to keep warm makes all the difference. I would be grateful to have you, your coat, your hat and your mittens join me. Nancy Neighbors, MD The Wisdom of Gratitude “We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” ~ Frederick Keonig “Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present.” – Marelisa Fábrega “Acknowledging the good that you already have is the foundation for all abundance.” ~ Eckhart Tolle “To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.” ~ Johannes A. Gaertner “The more you practice the art of thankfulness, the more you have to be thankful for.” ~ Norman Vincent Peale An Irish Blessing Count your blessings instead of your crosses; Count your gains instead of your losses. Count your joys instead of your woes; Count your friends instead of your foes. Count your smiles instead of your tears; Count your courage instead of your fears. Count your full years instead of your lean; Count your kind deeds instead of your mean. Count your health instead of your wealth; Love your neighbor as much as yourself. |