November is National Gratitude Month

Every November gratitude is a theme many reflect upon as they think of all the lessons and blessings they have experienced throughout the year. While some feel gratitude is merely a feeling of thanks, researchers at the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, have found the following trends in individuals who practice gratitude:

• stronger immune systems
• lower blood pressure
• more optimism, joy, and happiness
• more compassion
• less feelings of loneliness or isolation

Below are some resources for you to enjoy this November to learn more about gratitude or even how you can practice gratitude in your daily life. 

Canfield, J. (2009). Chicken soup for the soul count your blessings: 101 stories of gratitude, fortitude, and silver linings.

"A collection of 101 true stories from real people about realizing the blessings in their lives after they have lived through adversity, whether financial, job-related, health-related, natural disasters, or the death of loved ones. The stories are about their fortitude, their gratitude for the lives they still have, and the silver linings they have found amidst their troubles and challenges." (from publisher)

Steindl-Rast, D. (1984). Gratefulness, the heart of prayer: an approach to life in fullness. New York, NY: Paulist Press.

"A member of the Calmaldolese order of monks... Steindl-Rost does a wonderful job of exploring the relationship between prayer and that sense of gratefulness that comes with love, which is at the very center of what it means to be human." --Doug Thrope, via publisher

Leithart, P. (2014). Gratitude: An intellectual history. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press.

"Gratitude is often understood as etiquette rather than ethics, an emotion rather than politics... Gratitude: An intellectual history examines changing conceptions of gratitude from Homer to the present." (from publisher)

Emmons, R. and McCullough, M. (2004). The psychology of gratitude. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.  

"Gratitude, like other positive emotions, has inspired many theological and philosophical writings, but it has inspired little vigorous, empirical research... this volume brings together prominent scientists from various disciplines to examine what has become known as the most neglected emotion." (from publisher)

For those wanting to challenge and grow their sense of gratitude, there is also the 30-Days of Gratitude Journaling Challenge: