4 Reasons to Join the Gratitude Challenge

[hermetic]

The nature of gratitude is to overflow its banks and circulate. It does not stand still. But remove that ineffable quality of gratitude from the equation, and the virtuous cycle of life breaks down. This is what we've learned from running Karma Kitchen, a restaurant where there are no prices on the menu, a place where the meal is served as a gift by volunteers, and at the end of it guests receive a bill for a total of $0.00.

The bill comes with a note that explains their meal was a gift from someone who came before them. If they wish to pay it forward, they can make a contribution for someone who comes after them and help keep the circle going. Six years later, that circle at Karma Kitchen is still going strong. It has served more than 30,000 meals and now has chapters in half a dozen cities around the world. And it is all sustained by gratitude.

So we've learned a great deal about the importance of gratefulness -- and to spread the good, we've now created a global 21-Day Gratitude Challenge, in which thousands are committing to an attitude of gratitude for 21 days straight, ending on Thanksgiving. By becoming more aware of the many gifts our lives hold and by making a daily practice of expressing our gratitude in thought, word or action, we begin to rewire our habits of thinking in wholesome ways. We begin to tune in to a deeper sense of joy, abundance and connection.
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There's more to it. Science is now showing us that gratitude can positively influence our health, happiness, energy levels and longevity. A growing number of studies indicate that gratitude is a muscle that can be exercised and built up. Simple interventions like maintaining a journal of what you're thankful for have been demonstrated to have a deep impact. The key lies in sharpening our awareness and tuning in to the gifts that we hold in each moment.

Read the very inspirational article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/viral-mehta/post_5959_b_4228302.html

Or go here to sign up. You'll receive a daily email with inspiration and ideas. You'll be part of a vibrant on-line community of like-minded people from all over the world, and you'll have a chance to share your experiences, read stories of what others are doing, and support each other's journeys along the way. : http://www.kindspring.org/21day/

The 21-Day Gratitude Challenge will kick off on Nov 7th and culminate fittingly on Thanksgiving Day. The sages of old and the science of modern day are all in agreement about the benefits of gratitude. It's been proven to have a positive effect on the health, happiness and well-being of individuals, families, communities and companies alike. So get ready to start flexing those gratitude muscles!

[ailsagirl]

1. I've read this about gratitude...

Gratitude is an emotion expressing appreciation for what one has—as opposed to, say, a consumer-oriented emphasis on what one wants or needs—and is currently receiving a great deal of attention as a facet of positive psychology. Gratitude is what gets poured into the glass to make it half full. Studies show that gratitude not only can be deliberately cultivated but can increase levels of well-being and happiness among those who do cultivate it. In addition, grateful thinking—and especially expression of it to others—is associated with increased levels of energy, optimism, and empathy.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/gratitude

And I believe every word.