Gratitude

Gratitude: Being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen; taking time to express thanks.

Every time I take the VIA Character Strengths inventory my top character strength remains the same: gratitude. While my other top four usually rotate around (but typically include Ability to Love and be Loved, Zest and Curiosity) the character strength of gratitude has consistently remained at the top. So it is probably not surprising that I love the idea of Thanksgiving. 
It is my hope, however, that we don’t limit our expressions of gratitude and thankfulness to the month of November. We all know that we should be grateful often, but there is empirical support for this idea as well. Seligman, Steen, Park and Peterson (2005) found that participants who kept a daily gratitude journal for one week experienced a major increase in their happiness and quality of life scores. In fact, this bump in happiness was sustained even after the experiment was over.

So starting Monday, Dec. 3rd, I’ll be jotting down, and sharing three things I’m grateful / thankful for each day. Then on Monday the 10th, I’ll share the 21 things I was most grateful for that week.  And I’d love for you to join!
If you want to participate in the daily gratitude journal and want to share with other bloggers, I’ll have a link up on Monday the 10th. Although a lot of bloggers shared the big things they are thankful for during Thanksgiving, I’d love to find out what you are most grateful for in the day-to-day. So I hope that you’ll join in on link-up on Monday Dec 10th!

<div align=”center”><a href=”http://www.treasuretromp.com/category/gratitude/” title=”Treasure Tromp” target=”_blank”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-20yPWi3C3RM/ULbx7lmthcI/AAAAAAAABP8/HYSF3e2WRc8/s300/gratitude+link+up300x300.jpg” alt=”Treasure Tromp” style=”border:none;” /></a></div>

And for now, a few things for which I am truly grateful: 

My health.
Love.
Education.
Opportunities.
Holding hands.
Sushi.

Travel.
Home.
Smiles!
Wine.

And beer.
Access to all the necessities.
Gold nail polish.
Books. Real books

Cute hedgehogs. Non-cute hedgies don’t exist
Musical theatre.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer. No joke
Lip balm.
Small acts of kindness.
Homemade gifts.
Backyard picnics.
Fresh flowers.

Vegetarian options on the menu.
Candles.
Little surprises.
Big laughs.
Sunshine.
My family.
Matthew David Manfriend.
YOU, my wonderful blog readers.

Hope that you join in on the link up! And more importantly, that you think of at least three things your grateful for today.
Linked up with Thankful Thursday (Loved and Lovely, First Day of My Life, Black Tag Diaries, Gracefully Made), Oh So Thankful, and Favorite Things.