Why Is Gratitude So Powerful for Your Health and Happiness?
Gratitude Doesn't Mean Pretending Everything Is Perfect. It Means Refusing to Miss What's Good While You're Working on What's Next.
HEALTHWEALTHINCOMEMONEYFINANCESLIFE AFTER 50FAITHPURPOSEINNER STRENGTH
Coach Marcus Jones
10/4/202615 min read
Why Is Gratitude So Powerful for Your Health and Happiness?
Gratitude Doesn't Mean Pretending Everything Is Perfect. It Means Refusing to Miss What's Good While You're Working on What's Next.
By Coach Marcus Jones
When you're younger, it's easy to spend a lot of time thinking about:
What's:
Next.
What you:
Want.
What you haven't:
Accomplished.
What someone else:
Has.
The bigger:
House.
The better:
Job.
The higher:
Income.
The nicer:
Car.
The successful:
Business.
The perfect:
Body.
Then you get older.
And something begins to:
Change.
You realize some of the things you once considered ordinary were never ordinary at:
All.
Waking up without:
Pain.
Having enough energy to:
Exercise.
Calling your:
Parents.
Having dinner with your:
Spouse.
Hearing your child's:
Voice.
Laughing with a:
Friend.
Walking without:
Assistance.
Having food in the:
Refrigerator.
Sleeping in your own:
Bed.
Opening your eyes to:
Another morning.
Suddenly...
ORDINARY THINGS START LOOKING LIKE BLESSINGS.
That's where gratitude becomes:
Powerful.
Not because gratitude magically removes:
Problems.
Not because being thankful guarantees:
Health.
Wealth.
Success.
Or happiness.
But because gratitude can change what receives your:
ATTENTION.
And what receives your attention can influence how you experience your:
Life.
IN THIS ARTICLE
What gratitude actually means
Why gratitude isn't the same as positive thinking
What research says about gratitude and well-being
Why gratitude should not be presented as a cure
How gratitude may influence stress and emotional well-being
Why gratitude can strengthen relationships
How gratitude changes perspective
Why gratitude becomes especially meaningful after 50
How gratitude and ambition can coexist
Why comparison can steal contentment
How social media can distort perspective
The relationship between gratitude and faith
Why gratitude doesn't mean accepting unhealthy circumstances
How gratitude can influence your relationship with money
Why appreciating your body matters after 50
How to practice gratitude during difficult seasons
A simple daily gratitude routine
QUICK ANSWER: WHY IS GRATITUDE SO POWERFUL?
Gratitude intentionally directs attention toward things you:
Value.
Appreciate.
Enjoy.
And might otherwise:
Overlook.
Research has associated gratitude practices with aspects of psychological well-being, including positive emotions and life satisfaction, although effects vary and gratitude should not be treated as a cure-all.
Gratitude may also support:
Relationships.
Perspective.
Resilience.
Contentment.
And healthier ways of interpreting everyday:
Experiences.
But perhaps its simplest benefit is this:
GRATITUDE HELPS YOU NOTICE YOUR LIFE WHILE YOU'RE LIVING IT.
That's something many of us could use more:
Often.
GRATITUDE IS NOT PRETENDING EVERYTHING IS GOOD
Let's start here because this is:
Important.
Gratitude does not mean:
Ignoring problems.
Suppressing sadness.
Pretending you're healthy when you're sick.
Pretending your finances are fine when they're not.
Staying in an abusive relationship.
Avoiding difficult conversations.
Refusing to grieve.
GRATITUDE IS NOT DENIAL
You can say:
“This is difficult.”
and:
“I'm grateful.”
in the same:
Sentence.
TWO THINGS CAN BE TRUE AT ONCE
You can be disappointed about your:
Career
and grateful for your:
Family.
You can struggle financially
and be grateful for your:
Health.
You can have health problems
and be grateful for the people who:
Love you.
You can grieve someone you've lost
and be grateful you had them in your:
Life.
GRATITUDE DOESN'T ERASE PAIN
It simply refuses to allow pain to become the only thing you can:
See.
That's an important:
Difference.
GRATITUDE IS ABOUT ATTENTION
Think about your average:
Day.
How many things go:
Right
that you barely:
Notice?
Your electricity:
Works.
Water comes from the:
Faucet.
Your phone:
Connects.
Your car:
Starts.
You breathe without thinking about:
Breathing.
OUR BRAINS QUICKLY NORMALIZE GOOD THINGS
Something you once:
Wanted
eventually becomes something you:
Expect.
Remember when you wanted the:
House?
Then you got it.
Eventually it's just:
The house.
Remember wanting the:
Job?
Eventually it's just:
Work.
Remember wanting the:
Car?
Eventually it's just:
Transportation.
GRATITUDE INTERRUPTS THAT PROCESS
It asks:
“WHAT IF I STOPPED TAKING THIS FOR GRANTED?”
That's powerful.
HAPPINESS ISN'T ONLY ABOUT GETTING MORE
Sometimes happiness involves noticing more of what is already:
There.
That's not an argument against:
Growth.
It's an argument against becoming so focused on:
Tomorrow
that you fail to experience:
Today.
GRATITUDE AND AMBITION ARE NOT ENEMIES
This matters to me.
I believe in:
Goals.
Business.
Health.
Building wealth.
Creating freedom.
Personal growth.
I don't believe gratitude means saying:
“Well, I should just be satisfied and stop trying.”
No.
YOU CAN BE GRATEFUL AND STILL BE HUNGRY FOR GROWTH
You can say:
“I appreciate my health.”
and still want to:
Improve it.
“I appreciate my income.”
and still want to:
Increase it.
“I appreciate my business.”
and still want to:
Grow it.
“I appreciate my home.”
and still dream about something:
Different.
GRATITUDE SAYS:
“I APPRECIATE WHERE I AM.”
Ambition says:
“I'M STILL BUILDING WHERE I'M GOING.”
Both can exist:
Together.
THE PROBLEM IS WHEN YOU CANNOT ENJOY TODAY UNTIL TOMORROW ARRIVES
I'll be happy when:
I lose 20 pounds.
I make six figures.
I retire.
My business grows.
I buy the house.
I pay off the debt.
THEN YOU REACH THE GOAL...
And move happiness to another:
Finish line.
That's a dangerous:
Cycle.
DON'T KEEP POSTPONING YOUR LIFE
Celebrate:
Progress.
Appreciate:
Today.
Build:
Tomorrow.
You can do all:
Three.
RESEARCH ON GRATITUDE IS ENCOURAGING — BUT KEEP IT IN PERSPECTIVE
Gratitude has become popular in:
Psychology.
Wellness.
Self-development.
And sometimes the claims get:
Exaggerated.
You may see statements suggesting gratitude will:
Cure disease.
Guarantee happiness.
Eliminate depression.
Make you wealthy.
Transform your life overnight.
Let's be:
Careful.
GRATITUDE IS A PRACTICE — NOT MAGIC
Research has linked gratitude interventions with improvements in some measures of:
Well-being.
Positive affect.
Life satisfaction.
And psychological health.
But the effects can vary depending on:
The person.
The intervention.
The duration.
And what is being measured.
GRATITUDE SHOULD COMPLEMENT APPROPRIATE CARE — NOT REPLACE IT
If someone has:
Depression.
Anxiety.
Trauma.
Serious grief.
Or another mental-health condition...
telling them:
“You just need to be more grateful”
can be dismissive and:
Harmful.
They may need:
Professional support.
Treatment.
Community.
Medication where appropriate.
And time.
GRATITUDE IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MENTAL-HEALTH CARE
It can be one healthy practice among:
Many.
GRATITUDE MAY HELP SHIFT YOUR PERSPECTIVE
Imagine two people experience the same:
Day.
One goes home thinking:
Everything went:
Wrong.
The other notices:
The traffic was bad...
but I arrived safely.
Work was stressful...
but I handled it.
Dinner wasn't perfect...
but I ate with people I love.
SAME DAY.
DIFFERENT ATTENTION.
That doesn't mean one person is:
Delusional.
It means perspective can influence how experiences are:
Interpreted.
WHAT YOU NOTICE MATTERS
If you're constantly searching for:
What's wrong...
you'll find plenty.
If you intentionally notice:
What's good...
you may discover you were overlooking plenty of that:
Too.
GRATITUDE CAN HELP WITH STRESS — BUT DON'T OVERSIMPLIFY IT
Stress has many causes.
Finances.
Health.
Caregiving.
Work.
Relationships.
Sleep.
Trauma.
Gratitude doesn't make those:
Disappear.
But intentionally noticing positive aspects of life may help some people broaden their perspective during stressful:
Periods.
SOMETIMES THE GOAL ISN'T:
“MY LIFE HAS NO STRESS.”
Maybe it's:
“STRESS ISN'T THE ONLY THING IN MY LIFE.”
That's more:
Realistic.
GRATITUDE CAN STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS
Here's a simple question:
How often do we think something good about someone...
and never:
Tell them?
You appreciate your:
Spouse.
But do they:
Know?
You're proud of your:
Child.
But did you:
Say it?
You appreciate your:
Friend.
But when did you last:
Tell them?
UNSPOKEN GRATITUDE DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME IMPACT AS EXPRESSED GRATITUDE
Say:
Thank you.
I appreciate you.
I'm proud of you.
I'm glad you're in my life.
You helped me more than you realize.
DON'T WAIT FOR FUNERALS TO GIVE PEOPLE THEIR FLOWERS
Give people appreciation while they can:
Hear it.
That's one of the most valuable lessons we can learn as we get:
Older.
SOMETIMES A TEXT MESSAGE IS ENOUGH
“Just wanted you to know I appreciate you.”
That's:
Simple.
But powerful.
GRATITUDE CAN CHANGE A MARRIAGE
Relationships can gradually become focused on:
What's missing.
You didn't:
Do this.
You forgot:
That.
Why can't you:
Change?
Some issues absolutely need to be:
Addressed.
But relationships also need:
Appreciation.
NOTICE WHAT YOUR PARTNER DOES RIGHT
Then:
Say it.
Not as manipulation.
Not because you want something.
Because you:
Mean it.
APPRECIATION DOES NOT ELIMINATE ACCOUNTABILITY
You can appreciate someone and still have:
Boundaries.
Expectations.
Difficult conversations.
Healthy gratitude doesn't require:
Silence.
GRATITUDE BECOMES DIFFERENT AFTER 50
At 25, you may think:
“I have plenty of time.”
At 50+...
you understand time differently.
Not necessarily:
Fearfully.
But more:
Realistically.
YOU BEGIN REALIZING SOME MOMENTS ARE NOT GUARANTEED TO REPEAT
That family:
Dinner.
That holiday.
That conversation with your:
Parent.
That trip.
That morning with your:
Spouse.
GRATITUDE HELPS YOU BE PRESENT FOR THE MOMENT BEFORE IT BECOMES A MEMORY
Read that again.
Sometimes we don't realize how special a moment was until:
It's gone.
Gratitude asks you to recognize it:
Now.
YOUR BODY DESERVES SOME GRATITUDE TOO
This one is important after:
We can become extremely critical of our:
Bodies.
Wrinkles.
Gray hair.
Weight.
Aches.
Changes.
YES — TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY
Exercise.
Eat well.
Sleep.
Get appropriate preventive care.
Build strength.
Maintain mobility.
But also recognize what your body has:
Done.
YOUR BODY HAS CARRIED YOU THROUGH YOUR ENTIRE LIFE
Maybe it:
Worked.
Raised children.
Survived illness.
Lost weight.
Recovered from injuries.
Walked thousands of miles.
Hugged people you love.
DON'T SPEND THE SECOND HALF OF LIFE HATING THE BODY THAT CARRIED YOU THROUGH THE FIRST HALF
Improve it.
Respect it.
Care for it.
And occasionally:
Thank it.
GRATITUDE CAN CHANGE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH EXERCISE
Instead of:
“I have to exercise.”
Try:
“I GET TO MOVE.”
There's a difference.
Not everyone has that:
Ability.
MOVEMENT CAN BECOME A PRIVILEGE INSTEAD OF A PUNISHMENT
That perspective can matter.
GRATITUDE CAN CHANGE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MONEY
Wealth is another area where comparison becomes:
Dangerous.
There will almost always be someone with:
More.
A larger:
House.
More:
Income.
More:
Followers.
A bigger:
Business.
IF YOUR DEFINITION OF ENOUGH DEPENDS ON SOMEONE ELSE HAVING LESS THAN YOU, YOU MAY NEVER HAVE ENOUGH
Comparison has no natural:
Finish line.
GRATITUDE DOESN'T MEAN IGNORING FINANCIAL REALITY
If you have:
Debt.
Insufficient retirement savings.
Cash-flow problems.
You need to address:
Them.
But you can work toward financial improvement without despising everything you already:
Have.
GRATITUDE CAN HELP MONEY RETURN TO ITS PROPER ROLE
Money is a:
Tool.
Not a measurement of your:
Worth.
SOCIAL MEDIA CAN MAKE GRATITUDE HARDER
Open your phone and immediately see:
Someone's vacation.
New car.
House.
Body transformation.
Business milestone.
Perfect family photo.
YOU'RE COMPARING YOUR ENTIRE LIFE TO SOMEONE ELSE'S SELECTED MOMENT
Remember that.
You don't see:
Their debt.
Arguments.
Fear.
Health concerns.
Failures.
Loneliness.
SOCIAL MEDIA IS OFTEN A HIGHLIGHT REEL
Don't compare your:
Behind-the-scenes
to somebody else's:
Best 15 seconds.
GRATITUDE BRINGS YOUR ATTENTION BACK HOME
Instead of:
“What do they have?”
Ask:
“WHAT DO I HAVE THAT I HAVEN'T BEEN APPRECIATING?”
That's a better question.
FAITH AND GRATITUDE ARE DEEPLY CONNECTED
For me, gratitude isn't only a:
Psychological exercise.
It's spiritual.
GRATITUDE RECOGNIZES THAT EVERYTHING IS NOT ENTIRELY SELF-CREATED
You worked hard?
Absolutely.
But did you create:
Your breath?
Every opportunity?
Every person who helped you?
Every favorable circumstance?
No.
GRATITUDE CREATES HUMILITY
It reminds us:
“I didn't get here entirely by myself.”
1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 SAYS:
“In every thing give thanks...”
Notice:
It doesn't necessarily say give thanks:
FOR
every circumstance.
It says:
IN EVERYTHING.
That distinction matters.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE THANKFUL FOR TRAGEDY
You can look for something to hold onto:
Within it.
Support.
Love.
Faith.
Strength.
Community.
Another day.
GRATITUDE DURING HARD TIMES LOOKS DIFFERENT
Some days your gratitude list may be:
My family.
My home.
My health.
Other days?
It may simply be:
“I MADE IT THROUGH TODAY.”
That counts.
DON'T TURN GRATITUDE INTO ANOTHER PERFORMANCE
You don't need:
50 things.
Three honest things are:
Enough.
Sometimes one is:
Enough.
GRATITUDE CAN HELP BUILD RESILIENCE
Resilience isn't pretending adversity doesn't:
Hurt.
It's the ability to adapt and continue functioning through:
Difficulty.
Gratitude can be one tool that helps some people remember:
There is more to life than the current:
Problem.
THE STORM CAN BE REAL.
SO CAN THE SHELTER.
Both can be:
True.
GRATITUDE DOESN'T MEAN STAYING WHERE YOU'RE BEING HARMED
This deserves its own section.
Never use gratitude to tell someone:
“You should just appreciate what you have.”
when they're experiencing:
Abuse.
Exploitation.
Unsafe working conditions.
Dangerous relationships.
Serious health problems.
GRATITUDE IS NOT AN EXCUSE TO TOLERATE HARM
You can be grateful and still:
Leave.
Set boundaries.
Seek help.
Change jobs.
End relationships.
Address problems.
GRATITUDE SHOULD HELP YOU LIVE BETTER — NOT KEEP YOU STUCK
That's the distinction.
GRATITUDE CAN HELP YOU NOTICE PROGRESS
When we're chasing goals, we tend to look at the distance still:
Ahead.
You lost:
20 pounds.
But think:
“I still have 15 to go.”
Your business grew:
But you're thinking about the next:
Rank.
You paid off:
$20,000
but you're focused on what's:
Left.
TURN AROUND OCCASIONALLY
Look at how far you've:
Come.
That's gratitude too.
CELEBRATE PROGRESS WITHOUT CONFUSING IT WITH COMPLETION
You can say:
“I'M PROUD OF HOW FAR I'VE COME.”
and:
“I'M NOT FINISHED YET.”
Both can be:
True.
GRATITUDE CAN IMPROVE LEADERSHIP
People want to know their work:
Matters.
If you're leading:
Employees.
Business builders.
Volunteers.
Family.
Don't only communicate when something is:
Wrong.
RECOGNIZE PEOPLE
Say:
Good job.
Thank you.
I noticed your effort.
I appreciate your consistency.
APPRECIATION IS FREE
But it can be:
Valuable.
DON'T WAIT FOR A BIG ACCOMPLISHMENT
Recognize:
Effort.
Progress.
Consistency.
Growth.
PEOPLE REMEMBER HOW LEADERS MADE THEM FEEL
Gratitude can become part of:
Leadership culture.
START YOUR DAY WITH GRATITUDE BEFORE YOU START IT WITH THE INTERNET
Here's a challenge.
Before you check:
Facebook.
Email.
News.
Messages.
Ask:
“WHAT ARE THREE THINGS I'M GRATEFUL FOR THIS MORNING?”
That may help determine what gets your attention:
First.
YOUR PHONE DOESN'T NEED TO SET YOUR MENTAL AGENDA EVERY MORNING
You can.
CREATE A 3-MINUTE GRATITUDE PRACTICE
You don't need an elaborate:
Routine.
Try this.
MINUTE 1 — NAME THREE THINGS
What are three things you're grateful for:
Today?
Be:
Specific.
Instead of:
“My family.”
Try:
“The conversation I had with my daughter yesterday.”
Specific gratitude feels more:
Real.
MINUTE 2 — NAME ONE PERSON
Who deserves your:
Appreciation?
Send them a:
Text.
Call them.
Tell them.
MINUTE 3 — NAME ONE THING YOU OFTEN TAKE FOR GRANTED
Maybe:
Walking.
Driving.
Your spouse.
Your home.
Your eyesight.
Your work.
Your freedom.
Then intentionally appreciate it:
Today.
THREE MINUTES
That's manageable.
TRY THE COACH MARCUS GRATITUDE FRAMEWORK
NOTICE.
What is good that I've been overlooking?
NAME.
Put it into words.
EXPRESS.
Tell someone you appreciate them.
REFLECT.
How has this person, experience or blessing affected my life?
ACT.
Treat what you appreciate like you appreciate it.
NOTICE → NAME → EXPRESS → REFLECT → ACT
That last part matters.
IF YOU'RE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR HEALTH...
Take care of:
It.
If you're grateful for your:
Spouse...
Make time for:
Them.
If you're grateful for your:
Money...
Manage it:
Wisely.
If you're grateful for your:
Freedom...
Use it:
Intentionally.
GRATITUDE SHOULD EVENTUALLY SHOW UP IN HOW YOU LIVE
Otherwise it risks becoming only:
Words.
FAITH • HEALTH • WEALTH • FREEDOM
Gratitude can touch all four.
FAITH
Gratitude reminds me where my blessings ultimately:
Come from.
HEALTH
Gratitude helps me appreciate what my body can still:
Do.
WEALTH
Gratitude reminds me that enough is not determined by:
Comparison.
FREEDOM
Gratitude helps me enjoy the life I've worked to:
Create.
THE POINT ISN'T TO STOP BUILDING
The point is:
DON'T MISS YOUR LIFE WHILE YOU'RE BUILDING IT.
That's the lesson.
MYTHS VS. FACTS
Myth: Gratitude means pretending everything is good.
Fact: Gratitude can coexist with sadness, grief, frustration and difficult circumstances.
Myth: Gratitude cures depression or anxiety.
Fact: Gratitude practices may support well-being for some people, but they are not substitutes for appropriate mental-health evaluation or treatment.
Myth: Grateful people shouldn't want more.
Fact: Gratitude and ambition can coexist. You can appreciate your present circumstances while responsibly working to improve them.
Myth: Gratitude means accepting mistreatment.
Fact: Appreciation does not eliminate the need for boundaries, accountability or leaving harmful situations.
Myth: Gratitude guarantees better physical health.
Fact: Some research has identified associations between gratitude and aspects of health and well-being, but gratitude should not be represented as a treatment or guarantee of physical health outcomes.
Myth: You need to write a long gratitude journal every day.
Fact: Gratitude practices can be simple. Even intentionally noticing and expressing appreciation can be meaningful.
Myth: Gratitude means never complaining.
Fact: People can identify genuine problems while still appreciating positive parts of their lives.
Myth: Gratitude requires ignoring ambition.
Fact: Appreciation and growth are not mutually exclusive.
COACH MARCUS TAKEAWAYS
1. GRATITUDE IS NOT DENIAL.
You can acknowledge what's wrong while appreciating what's:
Right.
2. STOP WAITING FOR MORE BEFORE YOU ENJOY LIFE.
Some of what you once prayed for may already be:
Here.
3. TELL PEOPLE YOU APPRECIATE THEM.
Don't keep gratitude:
Silent.
4. APPRECIATE YOUR BODY WHILE YOU IMPROVE IT.
Movement is a:
Gift.
5. DON'T LET COMPARISON DEFINE ENOUGH.
Someone will always have:
More.
6. GRATITUDE AND AMBITION CAN COEXIST.
Appreciate today.
Build:
Tomorrow.
7. NOTICE PROGRESS.
Look backward occasionally and recognize how far you've:
Come.
8. START YOUR MORNING WITH GRATITUDE BEFORE SOCIAL MEDIA.
Choose what gets your attention:
First.
9. TURN GRATITUDE INTO ACTION.
Treat your blessings like:
Blessings.
10. REMEMBER:
DON'T MISS WHAT'S GOOD WHILE YOU'RE BUILDING WHAT'S NEXT.
MY FINAL THOUGHT
There will always be something you don't:
Have.
Something you haven't:
Reached.
Something you'd like to:
Change.
That's part of being:
Human.
But if you're not careful, you can spend your entire life staring at what's:
Missing...
and completely miss what's:
Present.
You can want a bigger:
House
while forgetting there are people you love inside the one you:
Have.
You can chase more:
Money
while overlooking the freedom your current income already:
Provides.
You can criticize your:
Body
while forgetting it carried you through another:
Day.
You can focus on the friends you:
Lost
while forgetting to call the ones who are still:
Here.
And then one day...
something you took for granted becomes something you'd give almost anything to have:
Back.
That's why gratitude matters.
It brings you back to:
NOW.
Not someday.
Not when everything is:
Perfect.
Now.
This:
Morning.
This:
Meal.
This:
Conversation.
This:
Walk.
This:
Hug.
This:
Opportunity.
This:
Day.
As we get older, we understand something we didn't always understand when we were:
Younger.
Time doesn't slow down because we're:
Busy.
People don't stay forever because we:
Love them.
Health isn't guaranteed because we:
Want it.
And tomorrow isn't promised because we have:
Plans.
That doesn't have to make you:
Afraid.
It can make you:
AWARE.
Aware enough to say:
Thank you.
Aware enough to:
Call.
Aware enough to:
Forgive.
Aware enough to:
Slow down.
Aware enough to:
Enjoy the moment.
Aware enough to recognize:
THIS IS MY LIFE.
Not the life I'm going to live:
Someday.
This one.
Right:
Now.
So yes...
Build the:
Business.
Improve your:
Health.
Increase your:
Income.
Create more:
Freedom.
Set bigger:
Goals.
But while you're doing all of that...
look around.
Someone you once prayed for may be sitting beside:
You.
Something you once dreamed about may already be part of your:
Normal.
A problem you once thought would destroy you may now be:
Behind you.
And a life you once wanted may be happening so gradually that you forgot to:
Notice.
Gratitude helps you:
Notice.
It doesn't make every day:
Easy.
It doesn't remove every:
Problem.
It doesn't guarantee:
Happiness.
But it can remind you that even an imperfect life can contain things worth:
Appreciating.
And maybe that's the real power of:
Gratitude.
It doesn't necessarily give you:
More.
Sometimes it helps you recognize the value of what you already:
Have.
So tomorrow morning, before you grab your:
Phone...
before you check:
Email...
before you look at what everybody else is:
Doing...
take a moment.
Look at your:
Life.
And say:
“THANK YOU.”
Then go build what's:
Next.
Because getting older is automatic.
Living gratefully is intentional.
DON'T JUST GET OLDER. GET BETTER AT IT.™
Faith • Health • Wealth • Freedom
— Coach Marcus Jones
HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, FINANCIAL, FAITH & LIFE DISCLAIMER
This article is provided for general educational, inspirational and informational purposes and reflects, in part, a Christian faith perspective. It is not individualized medical, mental-health, financial, legal or pastoral advice.
Gratitude practices should not be represented as treatments or cures for depression, anxiety, trauma, cardiovascular disease, chronic illness or other medical or mental-health conditions. Anyone experiencing persistent emotional distress, depression, anxiety, hopelessness or difficulty functioning should consider appropriate professional support.
Gratitude also should not be used to encourage someone to remain in an abusive, unsafe or exploitative situation. Appropriate boundaries, professional support and safety planning may be necessary.
SOURCE ANNOTATIONS & FURTHER READING
The Holy Bible — 1 Thessalonians 5:18
This passage encourages believers to give thanks in all circumstances. In this article, it is not interpreted to mean that people must be thankful for tragedy, abuse, illness or suffering, but rather that gratitude can remain part of faith even during difficult circumstances.
Harvard Health Publishing — Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier
Harvard Health has discussed research examining gratitude and positive psychology, including studies involving gratitude exercises and subjective well-being.
Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley — Gratitude Research
The Greater Good Science Center summarizes psychological research into gratitude, including its relationship with positive emotions, relationships and well-being. As with many behavioral interventions, outcomes vary and causal claims should remain appropriately limited.
National Institute on Aging — Participating in Activities You Enjoy as You Age
NIA discusses meaningful activity, relationships, social engagement and well-being in later life, all of which provide useful broader context for healthy aging.
PHASE 3 — FAITH, PURPOSE & INNER STRENGTH
WEEK 10 — FAITH, PURPOSE & INNER STRENGTH
Day 68: Why Does Faith Become More Important as We Get Older?
Day 69: How Can Faith Help You Through Major Life Transitions?
Day 70: How Do You Find Purpose When Your Career No Longer Defines You?
Day 71: Why Is Gratitude So Powerful for Your Health and Happiness? — Current Article
Day 72: How Do You Protect Your Peace as You Get Older?
Day 73: Why Is Forgiveness Important for Your Well-Being?
Day 74: How Do You Stay Hopeful During Difficult Seasons of Life?
NEXT: DAY 72
How Do You Protect Your Peace as You Get Older?
The older I get, the more valuable one thing becomes:
PEACE.
Not:
Winning every argument.
Not:
Having the last word.
Not:
Proving everybody wrong.
Not:
Responding to every comment.
Peace.
Tomorrow we're going to talk about why protecting your peace doesn't mean avoiding:
Reality.
It means becoming more intentional about what deserves access to your:
Mind.
Energy.
Time.
And emotions.
We'll talk about:
Boundaries.
Relationships.
Social media.
News.
Stress.
Comparison.
Conflict.
Faith.
Rest.
Saying no.
Walking away.
And something many of us learn later than we should:
NOT EVERYTHING DESERVES A RESPONSE.
We'll also talk about the difference between healthy peace and:
Avoidance.
Because protecting your peace doesn't mean refusing every difficult conversation.
Some conversations need to:
Happen.
Some problems need to be:
Addressed.
Some boundaries need to be:
Enforced.
But after 50, you may finally realize:
You don't have unlimited:
Time.
And you definitely don't have unlimited:
Energy.
So you become more selective about where you spend:
Both.
Because peace isn't simply something you:
Find.
Sometimes...