Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude
A perpetual Thanksgiving
In a letter to Harrison Gray Otis Blake in 1865, Henry David Thoreau wrote, “I am thankful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.”
As you celebrate Thanksgiving this year, I hope you not only reflect on what you have to be thankful for – whether that means those around your dinner table, your health or simple pleasures – but that you find ways to remain grateful year-round.
While it can be tricky to dedicate time to appreciate the good things in life amid the hustle-bustle of our routines, there are simple steps you can take to regularly practice gratitude. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Stop and smell the roses
Before going to bed, write down three good things that happened during the day and explain what resonated with you. It may seem simple, but this daily practice has been shown to help promote gratefulness and happiness time and again. - Lend a helping hand
Studies led by Christina Karns, a doctor of neuroscience, have shown that altruism and gratitude activate the same reward centers in the brain. This means that volunteering your time to a cause you care about will allow you to help others, while enhancing your own happiness and gratitude. - Spread the love
One of the secrets to having consistently happier and more grateful mornings is to make a habit of sending thank you messages. Not only will this help strengthen your relationships and help those you care about feel appreciated, it’ll also encourage you to make a conscious note of the people for whom you’re grateful.
As always, we hope that Thanksgiving Day, which falls on November 24th this year, will be a special day for friends and family. In observance, U.S. financial markets will be closed and so will our office. If you need to access your account information, please use Raymond James Client Access, which is always available online.
Thank you for continuing to allow me to serve you and your family. I wholeheartedly appreciate your confidence.
