Gratitude

I have been thinking and studying about gratitude lately. Thanksgiving is the time of year that most Americans focus on the things they are thankful for. As I was writing this post I considered making it a post like so many others listing out everything that I am thankful for. I love those kinds of posts usually but this time I feel the need to express why we should be thankful. It isn't the reason that you think.

Writing from the Christian perspective it would be easy for people to think that I would say we should do it because God tells us to. Have you ever wondered why God tells us to be thankful?  It probably isn't the reason you think.

Did you know that when you are emotionally thankful that it causes your brain to release oxytocin. God created our brains and He knows that when we are emotionally thankful that this hormone will be released.

Oxytocin is the love/bonding hormone. It causes us to bond with and feel closer to the one we are thankful to. It also causes us to be more generous, calm, peaceful and have an overall happy state of mind.

Isn't that cool? Every time we are thankful then it causes us to feel all of those good things. No wonder God tells us to be thankful in everything. Lots of people misquote that scripture. It doesn't say to be thankful for everything but it does say to be thankful in every circumstance 1 Thess 5:18 NLT.

I don't know if that changes how you look at that scripture but it does for me. It inspires me and knowing why I need to be thankful motivates me even more to do it. It makes me look at gratitude in a whole different way. No wonder I always feel better when I am being thankful and especially when I am thankful towards God. Imagine how the world could change if everyone truly spent more time being thankful. It would be a much happier place for everyone.

There are several others who are linking up and writing about gratitude...I hope you will check out our blog circle:  This is a worldwide circle and so coordinating the times can be a bit tricky so I posted the whole circle just in case someone didn't quite make it. You can read the next blog post in the circle at my friend's blog:

Seasons of Grace & Wisdom

Just In Case here is the whole Shebang:

Lalymille Dream Love Inspire
TexasdaiseyCreations YOU ARE HERE!!!
Seasons of Grace & Wisdom
Lulubeas
On A Journey Back To Her Wings
Sandy Mair Art
Michelle Hill Designs
Vickie Martin
Karrlin Bain
Lavender Chalet
Lisa R. Ullrich Heart Soul Create
The Artsy Girl Studio
Rainbow Light Angel
Red Pear Creative