What is gratitude?

I write this because I am grateful for this community and opportunity. Each day I read about members successes through your comments, blogs and/or websites.

I also write this because I believe we all need to be reminded to be grateful. Being grateful makes us see things in a brighter light.

Once upon a time I found this poem and every year is has become one of my favorite classroom bulletin board posts. So now I share it with you...

"What is gratitude?

Gratitude is pausing to notice and appreciate the things that we often take for granted, like having a place to live, food, clean water, friends, family, even computer access. It's taking a moment to reflect on how fortunate we are when something good happens — whether it's a small thing or a big thing.

Brain research shows that positive emotions, like gratitude, can benefit our bodies and minds. Feeling grateful for what we have (instead of obsessing about what we don't) helps with many different aspects of our lives — like relieving stress and boosting determination to try again when things don't work out the way we want.

So today, be good to yourself.

Be grateful!"

Randy