Let's learn about gratitude

This holiday season I am reading the book, Thanks!  How Practicing Gratitude Can Make you Happier

By Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D.  Dr Emmons, a psychologist and professor at University of California Davis, shares

information about gratitude.  What is gratitude?  My Webster’s New World Dictionary defines gratitude as “thankful appreciation for favors or benefits received.”   Of course, we can be thankful for shiny new presents we will receive in a few weeks.  But is there more to gratitude than this?   

Benedictine monk and teacher on the subject of gratitude, 

Brother David Steindl-Rast says, “gratefulness is the key to a happy

life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then

no matter how much we have, we will not be happy—because we 

will always want to have something else or something more.”  A Place where Happiness is Truly Supreme,  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ed-and-deb-shapiro/gross-national-happiness_b_1926974.html-

Who among us doesn’t want to be happy?  Join me this holiday season as we learn about gratitude. 

Let All Things Now Living

I love the holidays, the Thanksgiving and Christmas season.  On Thanksgiving Sunday we sang a beautiful hymn of thanksgiving called, Let All Things Now Living.  I invite you to take a few minutes to listen to a Youtube video of this beautiful hymn. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpMCE1G3N7Q  This hymn was composed by Katherine Davis. Sung in the video by Lebanon County Youth Chorus, from their album 'Somewhere in the Skies.'

In the News--NYPD Officer gives boots to homeless man--the homeless man

During his interview, Officer Larry Deprimo’s said the homeless man responded to his offer of help with the words, “no thank you, officer.  God bless you.”  Later after the compassionate police officer put the newly purchased socks and shoes on the man, the homeless man thanked him and said, “God bless you and stay safe.”  http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/11/30/nypd-officer-christmas-spirit-kindness-for-homeless-man-goes-viral/?test=latestnews

I am putting my own thoughts into this story:  a homeless man wearing no shoes and socks in New York City during a cold November night has to be cold and miserable.  However, he was able to respond with civility and courtesy.   I am wondering what enables the homeless man to respond in such a positive way.  As I ponder this event (and both sides of this story) I am considering gratitude and thankfulness.  You will hear more from me about this topic through this Christmas season. 

In the News--NYPD Officer gives boots to homeless man

What a great story for this holiday season.  One of New York’s finest encountered a homeless man who was barefoot.  NYPD Officer Larry Deprimo says he was “just doing my job” when he paid (out of his own money) for a new pair of warm socks and boots for the homeless man.  This touching story of compassion was captured by tourists and put on youtube.com.  An interview with Officer Deprimo can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JorEw_75Yg0  This story tells me we should all be mindful of the needs of others and reach out in compassion to others.  Thank you Officer Larry Deprimo. 

For the FoxNews report, see http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/11/30/nypd-officer-christmas-spirit-kindness-for-homeless-man-goes-viral/?test=latestnews