Thanksgiving is a time when many of us gather with family and friends to reflect and give thanks for our blessings. The simple act of gratitude doesn’t cost much but it has significant benefits. Research suggests that grateful people are more likely to have higher levels of happiness and lower levels of stress and depression. Gratitude is said to have one of the strongest links with mental health of any character trait. Have you ever thought about being thankful for the challenges in your life? Sounds strange, I know, but we learn to develop healthy coping skills and a greater appreciation for simple things as we manage challenges. The following prayer incorporates these thoughts and helps put the challenges and blessings in perspective: Be Thankful Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire, Be thankful when you don’t know something Be thankful for the difficult times. Be thankful for your limitations Be thankful for each new challenge Be thankful for your mistakes Be thankful when you’re tired and weary It is easy to be thankful for the good things. GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive. The experienced counselors at Methodist Healthcare EAP are here to help if you would like to talk about turning your challenges into opportunities. Call 901.683.5658 to schedule an appointment today. Author: Karole Shorter is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years of counseling experience. She received her Masters in Social Work from Florida State University in 1999. She has been a counselor at Methodist Healthcare EAP for five years. |
Love |
Generosity |
Justice |
Apprenticeship |