{"id":435,"date":"2020-11-25T08:12:27","date_gmt":"2020-11-25T08:12:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogschapman.wpenginepowered.com\/fish\/2020\/11\/25\/giving-thanks-for-what-we-have\/"},"modified":"2026-07-20T06:54:52","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T06:54:52","slug":"giving-thanks-for-what-we-have","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.chapman.edu\/fish\/2020\/11\/25\/giving-thanks-for-what-we-have\/","title":{"rendered":"Giving Thanks for What We Have"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As we celebrate the Thanksgiving holidays, I\u2019d like to share a personal mantra with you that I find to be true: In order to enjoy a future of abundance and happiness, you need to express gratitude for what you have in the present.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Enjoy our “Tips for a Happy Thanksgiving” video<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

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For many of our Chapman community, Thanksgiving this year may be different than previous ones. If for any reason you find yourself unable to celebrate the holiday enjoying the traditional feast with loved ones this year\u2014or even if you\u2019re struggling to make ends meet\u2014it’s okay to feel frustrated, sad, or scared.<\/p>\n

But, what if for this year\u2019s Thanksgiving, we can learn to turn our anxiety into awareness?<\/p>\n

As the word \u201cThanksgiving\u201d implies, the significance of this holiday is to give thanks for what we have. It\u2019s about expressing the proverbial \u201cattitude of gratitude\u201d\u2014an idea advanced by timeless spiritual wisdom and recently affirmed by science.<\/p>\n

The Science and Spirituality Behind Gratitude<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

So, how exactly does gratitude make us happy and healthy? How can learning to give thanks be key for our well-being?<\/p>\n

Research now recognizes how gratitude is one of the most powerful and healthiest of human emotions.\u00a0Studies at University of Miami, UC David, and other universities<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>successfully demonstrate that remembering to be grateful for what we have in life can greatly outweigh any sadness, stress or challenges we might currently experience.\u00a0In fact, new studies into the brain show that gratitude is one of the easiest and healthiest ways to experience overall wellbeing.<\/p>\n

A\u00a02009 study by the National Institutes of Health <\/strong><\/a>observed that brain scans of participants who expressed the emotion of gratitude\u2014versus those in the control group that did not\u2014experienced more activity in the brain\u2019s hypothalamus. An active hypothalamus is helpful since it regulates sleep, digestion, and metabolism.\u00a0More importantly, the study concluded that people who regularly express gratitude are less susceptible to anxiety and stress.<\/p>\n

Here’s another way of looking at it.\u00a0Gratitude is also a fundamental tenet revealed by religion. Ancient Scriptures throughout the world\u2019s\u00a0faith traditions have in some way taught us the sacred power of gratitude<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and the importance in giving thanks. Whether it\u2019s in the form of prayer, penance, honoring the deceased, rituals, sacred feasts, or contemplative practices, gratitude is a universal feature among the religious traditions of humanity.<\/p>\n

Practicing gratitude and giving thanks underscore the ethical and moral principles of our human nature. Despite the challenges and hardships endured in life, learning to be grateful for what we have encourages us to weave the sacred thread that unites Creator, our fellow humans, and all of creation into a single sacred web.<\/p>\n

Make Gratitude Contagious<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Despite the circumstances that life throws to us, when we express gratitude it\u2019s as if our brain steps on the \u201cemotional brakes\u201d on the negative thoughts that bombard our mind. Suddenly, the emotions of sadness, self-pity or stress\u2014that were driving us into anxiety or overwhelm\u2014are slowed and enable us to cope with stressful situations and be more resilient in the face of challenges.<\/p>\n

By reminding yourself of all that you\u2019re grateful for in life, it does something remarkable for your brain\u2014it tricks it into focusing on the positive, and dwelling less on the negative<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gratitude also has a powerful social benefit. It helps us to feel more connected to others. Just saying the simple words \u201cthank you\u201d can lift us out of our own individual concerns and serve to remind us of the joy and happiness that others bring to in our life. Expressing gratitude not only benefits the recipient of our appreciation, but oneself.<\/p>\n

A second reason to pause and express gratitude is that even simple expressions of gratitude can have long-lasting effects on those who receive them. When people feel valued, they are more likely to help others.<\/p>\n

Just as we lift weights to build muscle, brain science affirms that our brain is a muscle that can be trained and developed. As we cultivate gratitude, we automatically experience greater enthusiasm and contentment.<\/p>\n

Try it out for yourself. Say \u201cthank you\u201d to five<\/em> different people every day for five <\/em>consecutive days. Embody a genuine feeling of gratitude as you do so, perhaps even offering a smile to that person. After the fifth day notice how you feel. Chances are, you\u2019ll experience a remarkable boost of inner happiness.<\/p>\n

Start a Gratitude Practice<\/strong><\/h3>\n

What\u2019s one thing you’re grateful for that happened to you today?<\/p>\n

In the Chapman \u201cHappiness\u201d course I\u2019ve been teaching for the past decade, students perform a variety of \u201cgratitude-building\u201d exercises throughout the semester. Here\u2019s one simple and easy-to-use\u00a0gratitude tool that you can incorporate into your daily regimen<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and even start this Thanksgiving.<\/p>\n