A New Year; A New Attitude of Appreciation
Being grateful for surviving 2012! Welcoming 2013! Psychological research findings show that being grateful can help persons effectively cope with challenging and painful life events and avoid becoming depressed. In other words, appreciating what one has, as opposed to focusing on what is missing, helps promote optimistic attitudes that are more likely to provide us with the energy to tackle life problems. Pessimistic and distorted attitudes, perceptions and thoughts are well known to be associated with depressed mood. Therefore, one's thoughts are powerful and impact emotions and actions. One's circumstances do not define a person's sense of self, unless internal personal power is surrendered to the pain of negative external events. Fortunately, one has total power to manage and change attitudes, perceptions and thoughts in ways that are accurate and positive. To generate an attitude of gratitude in your life, consider the following strategies: ...