Who Wouldn’t Like That?

By Anne Evans-Cazier, LCSW | February 9, 2020

Thanks to all those who have written back! It’s so fun to hear how you are connecting with those you love as we warm up to the best Valentine’s Day ever, no matter what anyone else does or doesn’t do.

Day 3: Gratitude

Focusing on gratitude helps us to move away from the negative and to be more aware of the positive in our lives. The crazy thing is that as we focus on gratitude, we start to feel more relaxed and happier, we become less self-centered and more optimistic, and we are kinder and develop deeper relationships.

Who wouldn’t want that?

Think about who you want to focus on today. Think of something positive, big or little, that you noticed that person doing. It could be something that happened today, yesterday, or even long ago.

Share it. Research shows that just thinking about being grateful will help you feel better, writing it down will magnify the effect, but sharing your gratitude with someone is the most powerful of all. So, please, tell someone about your gratitude. Tell the person you are thinking about, or, if that is not possible, tell someone else. You will be glad you did!

A couple of years ago, in the middle of winter, as it is again right now, my husband, Cal, was in a fierce battle with cancer. Our dear friends, Kim and Jim, sent me a bag of Clementine oranges, “liquid sunshine” as they called it. I stuck the little note they put on the bag on the edge of my kitchen countertop and it’s been there ever since, cheering me on more times than I can count. I told them at the time how much I appreciated their thoughtfulness and support. I called them again today, and my heart filled with warmth (and my eyes with a few tears) as I expressed my gratitude once more. Sharing gratitude truly does magnify it.