One of the first things I remember learning to say was thank you. It didnt matter how small the gift or deed, I can still hear my mothers voice ringing in my ear, What do you say, Debbie? Those two simple words can be more beneficial to the psyche than years of therapy. Why? Because when you thank someone from your heart, you make that person feel appreciated, loved and relevant. Isnt that what we all want out of life?

Sometimes it takes a tragedy to remind us to be grateful. After my mothers operation to remove a brain tumor, the doctors told us she would be home in six weeks. She subsequently spent three consecutive years in hospitals and nursing homes. Ironically, the anger and self-pity we felt in the first year was later replaced by gratitude. Years of hospital visits revealed countless families dealing with illnesses much worse than my mothers. We became thankful for our own fate, as bad as it seemed at the start. We also became grateful for life, particularly my mothers since she lived another ten years after her surgery. Even in the most difficult times, theres something for which to be thankful.

In her book, Simple Abundance Journal of Gratitude, author Sarah Ban Breathnach says, Gratitude is the most passionate transformative force in the cosmos. She designed a daily journal in which to write what you are grateful for that day. She says, If you give thanks for five gifts every day, in two months you may not look at your life in the same way as you might now.

Everything in life is a gift. Just think of the food you ate today. As small and insignificant as an apple may seem, there were many people involved in putting that apple on your tablethe farmer who grew the tree, the worker who picked it, the trucker who transported it, the store owner who displayed it. Those are just a few people you can thank for that apple! And while youre at it, add mother nature to the mix sunshine, rain, birds, insects, etc. They all played a part in that one little apple. How lucky you are to have all those forces joining together just for your personal nourishment.

How many times have you had an opportunity to thank someone or a higher power today but didnt?

5 Ways to Be Thankful:

No matter how bad a day you have, think of one thing for which to be thankful.

Say thank you to people as often as possibleand mean it.

Send thank you cards or notes after receiving dinners, gifts, parties, hospitality, advice, friendship, and business.

Thank your children for being in your life and teach them the value of gratitude.

Think of all those people who would trade their lives for yours in a second.