Kerry Ogden, M.A. » gratitude

Stay hungry. Stay foolish.

Kerry — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:38:01 +0000

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. … Stay hungry. Stay foolish.” – Steve Jobs, Stanford University commencement address, June 2005.

Do Your Happiness Homework

Kerry — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:08:35 +0000

You can increase positive feelings by incorporating a few proven practices into your routine. Try expressing your gratitude toward someone in a letter or in a weekly journal, visualize the best possible future for yourself once a week, and perform acts of kindness for others on a regular basis to lift your mood in the moment and over time. Becoming happier takes work, but it may be the most rewarding and fun work you’ll ever do.

Say Grace

Kerry — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:30:18 +0000

Make a habit of saying a simple thank you for the food on your plate and everyone who played a role in getting it there. It will help cultivate gratitude and a deeper connection to your food and where it came from.

Thank Your Partner

Kerry — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 15:30:56 +0000

When it comes to healthy relationships, sometimes the simplist measure produces the greatest good. Remembering to thank your partner helps remind you (both) of the pleasant qualites he or she possesses.

In a study of cohabitating couples, on days that one partner expressed more gratitude, the other felt more satisfied with the relationship. Gratitude has a way of injecting our daily routine with a booster shot of positive emotion. We find the other person walks around feeling better about themselves and their relationship…your relationship.

Also, be mindful of how you express appreciation. A low-quality expression focuses on the object. ”Thanks for cooking dinner, hon, I was hungry.” Instead, direct the gratitude toward your partner. “You’re such a great cook. It’s thoughtful that you cook for me!”

Count Your Blessings

Kerry — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:36:04 +0000

Shifting away from negative emotional patterns can directly benefit your health, says practicing cardiologist Mimi Guarneri, M.D., medical director at the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine. Anger, for instance, floods the system with stress hormones that suppress the immune system, raise blood pressure, create arrhythmia, and even increase the risk of cancer.

Changing your ways isn’t simple. “The hardest journey to make is the 18 inches from your head to your heart,” notes Gaurneri. But it’s easier when you let gratitude be your guide. “Every night before bed, list 10 things that you have to be thankful for,” she says. “You’ll quickly realize that though your life is not perfect, you have a lot. And you’ll gain a real sense of wellness.”