Thanksgiving Gratitude

Looking for a more intentional way to give thanks on Thanksgiving? Try a gratitude letter.

Happiness and positive psychology researchers tell us that one powerful way to increase your happiness while brightening the lives of others is to compose and deliver a gratitude letter. Gratitude affects happiness by augmenting positive emotion in the present and amplifying positive memories of past events. And it builds a better world.

From Authentic Happiness (2003) Martin E. P. Seligman (a Terrific Read)

Gratitude Visit

Gratitude is a powerful tool for increasing life satisfaction because it amplifies good memories about the past. The goal of this exercise is for you to experience the power of expressing your gratitude to someone who has touched your life —not in a perfunctory way, but with much forethought and effort.

The positive emotion of gratitude connects us to the kindness of others. Our society seems to lack gratitude rituals, formal ways of expressing thanks to those who have done well by us. Think of the people, —parents, friends, teachers, coaches, teammates, employers, and so on— which have been especially kind to you but have never heard you express your gratitude.

Write and rewrite a Gratitude Letter to one of these individuals, describing in concrete terms why you are grateful. The letter should be concrete: name specifics they did for you, andexactly how it affected your life. Tell what you are doing now and how you often remember their efforts. Make it sing.

Deliver it personally and have them read their letter aloud to them in their presence. Call the person in advance and make an appointment with them. Do not tell them the purpose except in vague ways. Then discuss with each other how you feel about each other, the gratitude specifics, and about the future.

Modification for group setting

Host a “gratitude night” in which members of the group invite a guest who has been important in their lives but whom they have not properly thanked. Give individuals the opportunity to stand up in front of the group with their guest and read their letter publicly.

Maintenance

Every day find an opportunity to express your gratitude. This expression can be as simple as a sincere “thank-you” said to someone who holds the door open for you, or it can be as elaborate as the gratitude letter described above.

Just make it a habit to build gratitude into your daily schedule.