Gratitude

Thought leaders and self-help gurus from all walks of life and across the religious spectrum are touting the benefits and importance of being thankful more than ever. But there’s something to it; it’s not just a fad.

In our thoughts and actions, we pit life against death when, through the lens of faith, we have an alternative capacity to see beyond this conflict.

In his book "Thanks!" Robert Emmons characterizes gratitude as not a “superficial happiology,” but a perspective with transformative power.

A still life painter or an artistic photographer helps us see something as ordinary as bread, bird or pear with new appreciation. If we don’t pause to thank, we might assume such mini-blessings will always be there.

Everything we have is a gift from God. No one can control what’s most important. We often receive far more than we deserve.

The good news from science is that gratitude can lead to chemical bodily responses that bring health benefits and longer life spans.