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Words Of Gratitude for Mind, Body and Soul
"The test of all happiness,” said G.K. Chesterton, “is gratitude."
Learning to experience gratitude involves being grateful as an attitude, not as a reaction when good things occur. To be grateful, one does not need to wait until things are perfect. In fact, practicing gratitude makes one receptive to life's blessings, and these blessings continue as we continue to be thankful.
In one study, described by author Robert Emmons, participants who wrote about five things for which they were grateful experienced more positive emotional states and were more likely to help others over a period of ten weeks than were participants who wrote about the hassles and stressors they experienced during the same time.
"Love wholeheartedly,” says Brother David Steindl-Rast, “be surprised, give thanks and praise—then you will discover the fullness of your life."
Gratitude provides gifts to both the giver and the receiver, and this illuminating book will inspire readers to recognize just how truly blessed we are.
Learning to experience gratitude involves being grateful as an attitude, not as a reaction when good things occur. To be grateful, one does not need to wait until things are perfect. In fact, practicing gratitude makes one receptive to life's blessings, and these blessings continue as we continue to be thankful.
In one study, described by author Robert Emmons, participants who wrote about five things for which they were grateful experienced more positive emotional states and were more likely to help others over a period of ten weeks than were participants who wrote about the hassles and stressors they experienced during the same time.
"Love wholeheartedly,” says Brother David Steindl-Rast, “be surprised, give thanks and praise—then you will discover the fullness of your life."
Gratitude provides gifts to both the giver and the receiver, and this illuminating book will inspire readers to recognize just how truly blessed we are.
- GenresPhilosophy
112 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2001
10 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Robert A. Emmons
15 books48 followersRobert A. Emmons, Ph.D. is Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Davis where he has taught since 1988. He received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana‑Champaign. He is the author of over 200 original publications in peer‑reviewed journals or chapters and has written or edited eight books, including The Psychology of Ultimate Concerns (Guilford Press), The Psychology of Gratitude (Oxford University Press), Thanks! How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier (Houghton-Mifflin), Gratitude Works! A Twenty-One Day Program for Creating Emotional Prosperity (Jossey-Bass) and The Little Book of Gratitude (Hachette). A leader in the positive psychology movement, Dr. Emmons is founding editor and editor-in-chief of The Journal of Positive Psychology. His research focuses on the psychology of gratitude and joy as they relate to human flourishing. Professor Emmons speaks regularly at medical and psychological conferences and at public events. Dr. Emmons has received research funding from the National Institute of Mental Health, the John M. Templeton Foundation, and the National Institute for Disability Research and Rehabilitation. His research has been featured in dozens of popular media outlets including the New York Times, USA Today, U.S. News and World Report, Newsweek, Time, NPR, PBS, Consumer Reports, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and the Today Show. He lives with his wife of 24 years, Yvonne and their two sons and two dogs in Davis, California.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 27, 2020
Amazing short book on gratitude. The book is so well-written and full of wisdom that by the end of it, I already felt a shift inside me towards gratefulness.
May 9, 2025
Good thoughts on a very important subject. Below are some of my personal takeaways from the book.
Give thanks for a little and you will find much.
To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in all He has given, and He has given us everything.
As we express gratitude, we recognize our relationship to our Creator.
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.
An interior attitude of thankfulness can be sustained regardless of life’s circumstances.
Depressed people can profit from an exercise of thankfulness.
By listing the things we’re grateful for, by setting aside 10 minutes each night to reflect on all you’re thankful for, will cultivate an attitude of gratefulness.
Sisera said that gratitude is not just the greatest of all virtues, it is the parent of all others.
A person might not be able to choose to be grateful, but he can focus on the good around him, and in turn will become grateful.
Stories have shown that those that are grateful live longer than those that are not grateful.
A wise person does not grieve for what they do not have but rejoices for the things they do have.
A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves. Henry Ward Beecher
If one feels entitled to everything, he is grateful for nothing.
Take responsibility to set your mind upwards.
Give thanks for a little and you will find much.
To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in all He has given, and He has given us everything.
As we express gratitude, we recognize our relationship to our Creator.
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.
An interior attitude of thankfulness can be sustained regardless of life’s circumstances.
Depressed people can profit from an exercise of thankfulness.
By listing the things we’re grateful for, by setting aside 10 minutes each night to reflect on all you’re thankful for, will cultivate an attitude of gratefulness.
Sisera said that gratitude is not just the greatest of all virtues, it is the parent of all others.
A person might not be able to choose to be grateful, but he can focus on the good around him, and in turn will become grateful.
Stories have shown that those that are grateful live longer than those that are not grateful.
A wise person does not grieve for what they do not have but rejoices for the things they do have.
A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves. Henry Ward Beecher
If one feels entitled to everything, he is grateful for nothing.
Take responsibility to set your mind upwards.
June 15, 2023
A very small book, but lots of wonderful nuggets even for non-religious people.
I loved the passage about "Thank You" being the simplest prayer.
It seems like perhaps the most profound too.
My views on God have evolved from my Catholic upbringing. As I come to see "conciousness" to be a characteristic of finite beings trying to marshal limited resources, it seems likely to me the God is probably not concious, and likely would not "hear" our prayers.
Still the bare "Thank You", without addressing it to anyone specific works for me. It reminds me of how fortunate we are all, despite the pain and struggle of life.
In a religious context, "Thank You" is a source of grace, but it brings peace of mind to everyone.
I loved the passage about "Thank You" being the simplest prayer.
It seems like perhaps the most profound too.
My views on God have evolved from my Catholic upbringing. As I come to see "conciousness" to be a characteristic of finite beings trying to marshal limited resources, it seems likely to me the God is probably not concious, and likely would not "hear" our prayers.
Still the bare "Thank You", without addressing it to anyone specific works for me. It reminds me of how fortunate we are all, despite the pain and struggle of life.
In a religious context, "Thank You" is a source of grace, but it brings peace of mind to everyone.
September 1, 2024
We love how this book shares words of gratitude from many different cultures (places) and historical periods (time).
What is the test of all happiness? Gratitude (G. K. Chesterton’s answer)
What are the secrets of happiness? We think that gratitude is one of the answers.
The book has inspired us to think that gratitude provides not only gifts to both the giver & the receiver, but also the witness & others in the future (the ripple effect / pay it forward).
Enjoy more of our takeaways for you @ https://www.instagram.com/p/C_XhgujSQ5a
What is the test of all happiness? Gratitude (G. K. Chesterton’s answer)
What are the secrets of happiness? We think that gratitude is one of the answers.
The book has inspired us to think that gratitude provides not only gifts to both the giver & the receiver, but also the witness & others in the future (the ripple effect / pay it forward).
Enjoy more of our takeaways for you @ https://www.instagram.com/p/C_XhgujSQ5a
July 4, 2022
'When you drink from the stream, remember the spring.'
A more religious take on Robert Emmons's work on gratitude. Unlike 'Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier' or some of his research, this book had a spiritual bent to it. It is suitably interspersed with quotes from theologians like Emanuel Swedenborg and Johannes Gaertner addressing the topic.
This is a warming little work that would be best paired with other output from the same author.
A more religious take on Robert Emmons's work on gratitude. Unlike 'Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier' or some of his research, this book had a spiritual bent to it. It is suitably interspersed with quotes from theologians like Emanuel Swedenborg and Johannes Gaertner addressing the topic.
This is a warming little work that would be best paired with other output from the same author.
August 1, 2020
Taká milá zbierka básnických a náboženských citátov ku vďačnosti, s pár stranami komentárov o vďačnosti. Oproti "normálnym" knihám, len také leporelo, bez informácií. Graficky veľmi pekná v takom rozprávkovom štýle tisíc a jedna noc.
February 24, 2021
A quick read to remind anyone of the multiple reasons and ways to feel, experience and demonstrate gratitude.
If you want to find a reason to always be grateful, there are several. This book is a good start on that journey to making it part of your personality.
If you want to find a reason to always be grateful, there are several. This book is a good start on that journey to making it part of your personality.
April 6, 2022
Some useful things, but very religious.
September 5, 2022
I feel grateful to have found this book. Gratitude is the key to an open and loving heart, in true gratitude the barrier between us and God begins to dissolve.
January 30, 2023
It is important to distinguish between being grateful and being thankful.
February 8, 2011
A little reminder of the benefits of the practice of giving thanks--for our own well being as well as that of others.
January 25, 2016
Short book on gratitude in different religions and psychology. Lots of quotes and things to think about.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews