I am drawn to happy people that express gratitude.  Most of us are drawn to happy grateful people and we try to run from unhappy complaining people.  Which are you?…. My desire is to be the person that draws people with a grateful heart.  Gratitude is core to how or whether you will enjoy life.

“The very quality of your life, whether you love it or hate it, is based upon how thankful you are toward God. It is one’s attitude that determines whether life unfolds into a place of blessedness or wretchedness. Indeed, looking at the same rose bush, some people complain that the roses have thorns while others rejoice that some thorns come with roses. It all depends on your perspective.” – Francis Frangipane

I have been blessed with amazing grandparents.  They were simple people with an abundance of love.  I can not remember a time when I was with them they were not grateful and kind.  My grandfather would answer the question, “how are you doing?’, with the phrase “just a jumping” and a big smile on his face.  The legacy of his grateful attitude toward life, family and his love for God are with me daily.  Who are the people in your life that model gratitude?

Here are some random quotes and information about gratitude

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion to clarity. . . . Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”~ Melody Beattie

“There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other as though everything is a miracle.”~ Albert Einstein

To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with.” ―Mark Twain

“Trade your expectations for appreciation and your whole world changes in an instant.” – Tony Robbins

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17

The research of Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D shows the positive benefits of gratitude.  More than one thousand people were studied, from ages eight to 80, and they found that people who practice gratitude consistently report a host of benefits:

Physical
• Stronger immune systems
• Less bothered by aches and pains
• Lower blood pressure
• Exercise more and take better care of their health
• Sleep longer and feel more refreshed upon waking

Psychological
• Higher levels of positive emotions
• More alert, alive, and awake
• More joy and pleasure
• More optimism and happiness

Social
• More helpful, generous, and compassionate
• More forgiving
• More outgoing
• Feel less lonely and isolated.

Research quoted from  The Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley

What has your life experiences taught you about gratitude?