The Wellness Prescription: Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude
“Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude” “Count your blessings, name them one by one; count your many blessings, see what God hath done.” — Johnson Oatman Jr.
This November, as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, our Wellness Prescription is something simple, yet profoundly powerful —> Let’s Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude!
We spend a great deal of time talking about nutrition, exercise, sleep, medications, and preventive care. All of these are important. But wellness is more than caring for our physical bodies. It is also about how we choose to see the world around us.
What if one of the most powerful prescriptions for our well-being is simply learning to be thankful? Not just on Thanksgiving Day. Not just when life is going well. But in the ordinary, messy, sometimes frustrating moments of everyday life.
What If We Looked at Life Differently?
Over the years, I've often reminded our three boys to look at life's little inconveniences differently. I'm sure they can recite these examples by heart. In fact, I can almost hear the collective eye roll followed by, “Oh, Mom... we KNOW!”
But that has never stopped me from reminding them!
The piles of laundry? Be thankful. They mean we have clothes to wear.
The dirty dishes in the sink? Be thankful. They mean we have food to eat.
The house that needs repairs? Be thankful. It means we have a roof over our heads.
The groceries that need putting away? Be thankful. They mean our cupboards are being filled.
The toys scattered across the floor? Be thankful. They mean children have been playing.
The family gatherings that get a little noisy? Be thankful. They mean we have people in our lives.
The alarm clock that wakes us too early? Be thankful. It means we have another day to live, love, and serve.
And then there's getting older!
I've always believed birthdays are something to CELEBRATE, not dread. When someone complains about turning another year older, I remind them that the alternative is dying a year younger! That usually gets a laugh, although I'm not sure our boys find that one any funnier than the laundry lecture!
But seriously, isn't it remarkable how the very things that frustrate us can also remind us of our blessings? The circumstances haven't changed. What changed is our PERSPECTIVE!
Scripture reminds us: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Notice that Scripture doesn't say to give thanks for every circumstance, but in every circumstance. We don't have to be thankful for illness, grief, financial struggles, or life's difficulties. But even in those seasons, we can find something to be grateful for, like a helping hand, a kind word, a friend who calls, or simply the strength to face another day. Gratitude doesn't mean life is perfect. It means recognizing our blessings even when life is imperfect.
Thanksgiving is truly an American Tradition of Gratitude
The familiar story of the 1621 harvest gathering in Plymouth reminds us of the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans sharing a meal after a season of hardship. The history is more complex than the story many of us learned as children, reflecting both the hardships and sacrifices endured by the Pilgrims and Native Americans, as well as moments of cooperation and shared gratitude.
Generations later, in 1863, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving. Think about that! Our nation was divided, families were grieving, and the future was uncertain. Yet, even in those difficult times, Americans were encouraged to pause and recognize their blessings.
We don't have to wait until everything is right in our lives to recognize what is GOOD.
Thanksgiving is more than turkey, pumpkin pie, or gathering around a beautifully decorated table. It is an opportunity to appreciate what we have, cherish those around us, and remember the One from whom our blessings flow.
What Does Gratitude Have to Do With Our Health? —> Quite a lot!
Research suggests that practicing gratitude is associated with improved emotional well-being, greater life satisfaction, stronger relationships, and better sleep. Some studies also suggest that gratitude practices may help reduce stress and symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Our brains naturally pay attention to problems and potential threats. While this helps protect us, it can also leave us dwelling on everything that is wrong. Gratitude helps shift our attention from what we LACK to what we HAVE. It doesn't make our problems disappear, but it can change how we experience them.
Gratitude can also strengthen our relationships. When was the last time you thanked someone for something they do every day? Your spouse for making dinner? Your child for helping around the house? A coworker for making your day easier? A friend for simply being there? Sometimes the people who do the most for us are the very people we forget to thank. Gratitude that is expressed becomes a gift to someone else.
Scripture reminds us that “every good and perfect gift is from above” in James 1:17
Remember the old hymn that many of us grew up singing: “Count your blessings, name them one by one; count your many blessings, see what God hath done.” I love the simplicity of those words. Not just count your blessings, but NAME THEM ONE BY ONE! The warmth of our home on a cold November morning. The smell of a meal cooking. A phone call from someone we love. The laughter of a child. The ability to take a walk. The gift of another sunrise. Sometimes we don't recognize how precious these ordinary moments are until they become memories. And sometimes, as we gather around the Thanksgiving table, we feel the absence of someone who once sat beside us.
Gratitude doesn't erase that sadness. We can miss those who are no longer with us while being profoundly thankful for the years we shared. We can cherish their memories while appreciating the people still sitting at our table. A grateful heart can hold both sorrow and joy. Psalm 107:1 reminds us: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
Gratitude Is Something We Practice! Just as physical activity strengthens our muscles, practicing gratitude can help us develop a more thankful outlook on life. What if, this November, we made gratitude part of our daily wellness routine?
- Before getting out of bed, name three things you are thankful for.
- Before complaining about a household chore, recognize the blessing behind it.
- Before going to sleep, reflect on something good that happened that day.
This Thanksgiving, Let's Change Our Perspective!
At the dinner table, share something you're thankful for. But don't just FEEL gratitude but EXPRESS it! Thank someone. Encourage someone. Help a neighbor. Give generously of your time and talents. The laundry will still pile up, the dishes will still need washing, and the house will still need repairs. And yes, we'll keep getting older, which, as I remind our boys, is something worth celebrating!
What if we stopped waiting for more blessings and started recognizing the ones already surrounding us? This Thanksgiving, remember that life's greatest blessings aren't things we can buy. They're the people we love, the memories we create, the opportunities to serve, and God's grace each day. So COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, name them ONE BY ONE, and see what the LORD has done!
This month's Wellness Prescription: CULTIVATE AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE — not just on Thanksgiving, but EVERY DAY!
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