The Christmas holiday season comes with high expectations for a festive and happy time of the year. However, for many this time of the year is tinged with sadness, disappointment and anxiety. None of us want any of these states of mind. So, what can we do? I suggest we try adding to our daily diet a good dose of gratitude.
Psychology research undertaken at Harvard Medical School finds that gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with a greater sense of happiness and contentment with life. Gratitude leads to the production of dopamine and serotonin. They are the neurotransmitters that lead to a sense of feeling good.
Gratitude is not based on naïve optimism.
Gratitude is an expression of appreciation of what is valuable and meaningful to us. I acknowledge that it may be difficult to express gratitude during difficult times in life. Throughout these times gratitude requires greater effort. The essence of gratitude is the discipline of seeing. It leads to opening your eyes and heart to acknowledging the good things you have experienced and received. All the blessings in life are a gift.
For many years I have each day acknowledged, both large and small, the blessings that God has provided me. I take my daily dose of gratitude first thing in the morning. It never fails to help set me up for the day.
We are soon to celebrate Christmas. As Christians we will be expressing our gratitude to God for the birth of his son Jesus. By faith we acknowledge that Jesus, by his death, enables us to enjoy an abundant and eternal life.
With this article being my swansong, I wish to express my gratitude towards the many clients for whom I have served over the past 44 years at Gaze Burt. I appreciate the relationships based on trust that I have enjoyed over the years and I also express my gratitude for my past and present partners and staff at the firm who have supported me and become close friends.
I have lived the dream at Gaze Burt and I am grateful.
We at Gaze Burt wish you a refreshing and peaceful time over the Christmas period. As you consider your diet over this festive season, make sure you include a dose of gratitude.
