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In the month of November, as we approach the national holiday of Thanksgiving, both religious and secular people talk the language of gratitude and of thankfulness. This holiday seems to have a way to pull all of us together. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all lift up the importance of gratitude and thankfulness. Life is seen as a gift, for which we can be thankful that we share in it. From the Judeo Christian tradition there derives a dual sense of what Robert Emmons and Johanna Hill say is a dual focus: “gratitude to our Creator and thankfulness to others demonstrated by our loving actions toward them.” For the Moslem for those who are grateful more is given. One of the precepts of Islam is to give to others. But this national holiday has a way of calling all of us to ponder these two thoughts.
What is more there is now research which supports thanksgiving and gratefulness as being good for our health. It is not just that at this holiday time, as an expression of gratitude for what we have been given that we might give food to others, serve meals, be particularly mindful of those who don’t have what we have. But, thankfulness is now being studied and described, according to a recent article by Gregg Easterbrook, as an important positive emotion. It has two components: to be thankful is important to our physical and emotional health; it can even be in our own self interest to feel grateful because it will make us better people. Among the research findings: those who say they are grateful to others are more vital, more optimistic, and less bothered by stress. They are less depressed than the rest of the population. Grateful people are less materialistic; they have less anxiety about the accumulation of possessions. Those who regularly reflect on gratitude, through a journal or similar means, were happier and more healthy than a group that did not. Grateful people seem to appreciate more the relatedness of all people, religions and all of life.
More grateful people seem to have better life outcomes in terms of better jobs and success in relationships. In a day and age when society supports our being so self absorbed and independent it is hard, and we may not even want to, think about our connectedness to others. These studies actually seem to support religious and spiritual truths and experiences of the good, the necessary and joyful opportunities to give to others. This giving comes from a posture of gratitude in a spirit and sense of thankfulness. Ironically it can be for our own good to feel grateful. According both to research and ancient spiritual and religious truths our lives become enriched and so do those whose lives we touch. Perhaps, Easterbrook sums up, Thanksgiving should be every day. Religiously and healthfully speaking celebrate this month, and perhaps every month, the gift of gratitude in the spirit of Thanksgiving.
Dr. Paul Melrose is Director of Clinical Services at the Samaritan Counseling Center of SE Michigan and Parish Assistant at Milford Presbyterian Church. The Center has an office in Milford. Dr. Melrose can be reached at www.paulmelrose.com or through 248-474-4701. The center can also be reached at www. samaritancounselingmichigan.com.
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