On this episode, Cal dives into the exciting new science of positive psychology and gratitude.  Saying we should be more thankful is easy advice to give -- similar to saying we should live in the moment -- but for some reason it is harder to practice on a regular basis.   Cal explores some of the key obstacles to most of us practicing gratitude and offers two practical, yet powerful, ways that we can begin practicing gratitude (and reaping the benefits of it) today.   Join Cal on a 30 day commitment to the daily practice of gratitude!  

This week in the United States we celebrate Thanksgiving. It is a day to stop, reflect, and intentionally give thanks.

It is not hard to see the value in giving thanks. We teach our children this as soon as they are old enough to want things. We teach them to value what they have, and we hope they will learn to find the beauty in the smallest things. In our gut and in our heart, we know there is something inherently right about giving thanks.

In the past few decades, researches have discovered that the benefits of gratitude and positive thinking go far beyond our anecdotal experiences. Scientific studies by leading gratitude researcher Dr. Robert Emmons have shown incredible results from those who practice gratitude as little as one time per week. Studies show those who practice gratitude are 25% happier than those that do not.

Incredibly, those who take the time to think about and write down the things and people they are thankful for reported:

fewer health conditions;
spending more time exercising;
feeling more joyful, excited, determined, and strong;
feeling more optimistic about the coming week;
getting more sleep each night; and
a greater desire to help those around them.

On this episode of Intentional Living and Leadership, Cal discusses these new findings in positive psychology. He also discusses the greatest obstacles we face to practicing gratitude and two specific practices you can start today to make gratitude a very real part of your day (and your life).

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