Giving thanks is en vogue during the Thanksgiving season. But we can—and studies suggest we should—count our blessings every day of the year.

Many studies have noted the correlation between gratitude and happiness. In a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Robert Emmons found that people who kept a gratitude journal were happier than those who didn’t. The study concluded that the journal participants reported considerably more satisfaction with their lives, felt more optimism, and were more connected with others than participants in the control group.

It’s ironic that we need to journal or take a mental pause to give thanks. But these days most of us lead busy lives and it’s easy to get caught up in non-stop tasks or running from one commitment to another. If we don’t make a conscious effort to be grateful, it may not happen.

In my contemporary romance novel, Nora’s Promise, Nora uses a simple gratitude technique. She takes pause and makes a mental list of her gratitudes. Afterward, her mood improves. A brief excerpt is provided below:

"She needed to pull herself together and focus on the now. Using a technique that Steph had taught her, she silently listed her gratitudes. Ben, Davey, Steph, Cruz. Cosmo, Concordia, Chance. Ella and Hud. The mountains and open land around them. Her mood lifted and she felt a smile tug at the corners of her mouth. Her list had barely scratched the surface. With so much to be thankful for, how could she be in a bad mood?"

Practicing gratitude can be that easy—simply make a mental list of what comes to mind. Or you can use a gratitude journal, meditation, mindful walk or any other process that works for you. The key is to keep it simple and focused.

It’s a great way to pass time during your commute to work, while walking the dog, or when waiting in line at the grocery store. Journaling or mentally recapping your gratitudes is a wonderful way to start and end your day.

Regardless of the method used, gratitude is a powerful process that fosters optimism and helps shift your energy from negative to positive. Given the significant benefits, why not make gratitude a regular part of every day?

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every moment with love, grace, and gratitude.” Denis Waitley

Nora’s Promise: She trusts animals more than men. He runs through women like tires. Can one orphaned boy force them to change gears?
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