The Key to Happiness

My last two posts have been about humility and love. When I saw a great column this morning on gratitude (obviously related to the week's celebration), I wanted to add that attribute to the list. The column by John Tierney in the New York Times entitled "A Serving of Gratitude May Save the Day" claims: "Cultivating an 'attitude of gratitude' has been linked to better health, sounder sleep, less anxiety and depression, higher long-term satisfaction with life and kinder behavior toward others, including romantic partners." He then focuses on study-verified ways to cultivate gratitude. If you've got the time, it's well worth reading the whole column.

From my observations, I am convinced that gratitude is key to happiness in our lives, especially as we direct that gratitude toward God. When we are grateful for what we have received from the Lord, we are freed to find happiness in it. We can let go of the sometimes incessant craving to have more money, a bigger home, more personal accolades, looks, fame and prestige. We can rejoice in what God has given us and be content with his wisdom, guidance and mercies in our lives.

And if it's a tough time, and you're finding it hard to be grateful for anything, Tierney gives us a way to deal with that as well: "Hey," he writes, "it could always be worse… Instead of focusing on the dry, tasteless turkey on your plate, be grateful the six-hour roasting process killed any toxic bacteria."

Happy Thanksgiving.