GIVING THANKS, GETTING GRATEFUL

Studies show that when we are more appreciative and grateful to be alive, we age more gracefully, says San Francisco-based author M. J. Ryan, who has penned books like Attitudes of Gratitude and Giving Thanks. "It activates a part of the brain that floods the body with the feel good hormones.

When we think negative thoughts, we activate the stress hormones that suppress our immune system, because our bodies are only interested in the short term fight or flight survival. Every time we think negative thoughts we are bathing our bodies in toxic hormones, where as positive emotions are
the antidotes."

Need more help figuring out how to be more thankful?

Give these a try........

1.  Focus on what's right in your life instead of what's wrong.

2.  Create visual or auditory reminders. Have a popup on your computer or have reminders sent to your cell phone (sign up at wellsphere.com).

3.  Say "Thank you" to others as often as possible.

4.  Especially when they're annoying or frustrating you, remember why you love your spouse, kids, and friends.

5.  Compare well. When you find yourself envying someone, focus on what you do have that others don't.

6.  Give thanks for your body. What can you appreciate about it right now?

7.  When difficult things happen, ask yourself: What's right about this? Yes, it's awful, but if something were right about it, what would it be?

8.  Look for the hidden blessing in challenges. How have you grown?

9.  Imagine that this day is the first and last of your life. How would you treasure it?

10.  Practice daily. Write in a journal. Email with a "gratitude partner," much like an old-fashioned pen pal. Think about everything you appreciate when you're driving home from work, at dinner with your family or before going to sleep. Do this every time you begin to feel less grateful. Remember, the more you create a routine, the easier it will be to remember.

Adapted from Attitudes of Gratitude by M. J. Ryan, Conari Press, 1999.
             
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Thanks for reading my newsletter, attending my seminars and letting me help you increase the quality of your work and life. Please give me a call when you need more in-depth help in your company.

Happy Thanksgiving!

       
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JJ's FAVORITE QUOTES:
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"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
-  John Fitzgerald Kennedy

"All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become."
-  Buddha


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ABOUT JJ:
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JJ Lauderbaugh, CMC
408 445-1590 or 800 500-9656, 1716 Husted Ave., San Jose, CA 95124.

JJ works with companies that want to give exceptional customer service to increase sales, and with Directors and Call Center/Help Desk Managers who want to improve human performance.

She's an international speaker, trainer, facilitator and certified management consultant (CMC) on customer service management, specializing in performance improvement, call centers, up/cross selling and outbound calling.

For training resources, free articles, tips and streaming video, go to our web site at:

http://www.JJLauderbaugh.com

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