Tuesday, December 8, 2009

The Healing Power of Gratitude


How often do we say or hear those incredibly simple words… “thank you”...
It’s true; sometimes these words are just a formality, but the feeling of gratitude behind them can do wonders for both our mental and physical health.
Gratitude is an emotion so powerful it can transform ones mood from darkness to healing light and renew our zest for life.

Being grateful is an attitude of deep appreciation for the realities that surround us "moment to moment"...each day of our life.
The power of the mind can work for us, or it can work against us. We control what we put into our minds; whether our thoughts are positive or negative. More than any other force in the world, it is the mind which serves as a partner in our health.

Chronic illness does cause many people to lose sight of the reasons they have to be grateful.
This being the case, we need to take time to think and focus on what we are grateful for. Something that has helped many is making a list of things such as the important people in your life, special events, places you have lived or visited that brought joy to your life.

Positive thoughts, like gratitude activate a part of the nervous system which is responsible for such wonderful feelings as peace, love, serenity, harmony and tranquility. Enough said!

Let's take a large dose of “gratitude” to make an enormous impact on our health!

“Good Health to You”

*Dear Readers;

"Thank you" for being here for 2009! Each one of you are very important to me, and you've inspired me in one way or another.
I appreciate you, your questions, comments and feedback.
A special "welcome" to my new followers. "Thank you" for being so patient with me and staying the course through the "flares" or work load.
Trust me, your support has meant everything to me!"

Warmest wishes and looking forward to 2010 with you at my side!

~ Good Health to You

Definition of gratitude here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gratitude

© Copyright 2010 Sandy Guerriere. All Rights Reserved.

17 comments:

Pain management said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
John Lichtenberger said...

This post epitomizes what Sandy Guerriere is all about. Even though I know she was not feeling well as she wrote this, she put others ahead of herself just to remind others of the power of gratitude. In so doing, she is an eloquent advocate for the very idea of gratitude itself.

Sandy said...

Thank you John!

It's a pleasure to be able to help others in some small way.

You well know this yourself...and I appreciate your comment very much.

Sandy

Unknown said...

Thank you, Sandy, for sharing your blog with me via SU...it is indeed a special gift when someone shares.
I live with your affliction through my wife... she has been taking mega doses of medication just to stabilize the condition so she can go about her daily life with some semblance of dignity...it is the most baffling of mysteries why some people live in constant pain...gratitude indeed...for all the little pleasures scattered throughout our lifetime.

Fernando said...

Great message Sandy ! Being thankful and grateful is a biblical principle.
I agree totally that it can heal us inside and out. God bless you for sharing !

HeadSpace said...

Thanks Sandy for a beautifully heart felt and important message about how our mindset and something as simple as an 'attitude of gratitude' can have such a healing effect, while anger and resentment are killers.

Good health to you, too!

Phil

Sandy said...

"Thank you" each one, for the comments in response to this post.

Out of the abundance of your hearts kind words were written. They are deeply appreciated.

"Good Health to You"

Sandy

Annie said...

Sandy, I stumbled across your blog after conducting a google search for "blogs about rheumatoid arthritis". Your blog was the last one I read and by far my favorite. I too have a form of RA, JRA. I have had it for all 27 years of my life although it's been most active in the past 10 years. Gratitude and positivity are the two pillars that I learn on during flares. If you haven't already read this book, I'll recommend "Simple Abundance" by Sarah Ban Breathnach. It is a daily reader that starts on January 1st and goes through to December 31st. It is a daily reminder to be grateful and live life with a happy heart. I highly recommend it!
Thanks for your blog, I will continue to read!
Annie

Paul Sutherland said...

Sandy,

You are an inspiration and a treasure beyond your knowing. I’ve watched on Twitter how people gravitate to your messages of joy, hope, love, compassion…and of course, gratitude. I’m usually one of the first in line for a daily dose of inspiration that flows from your heart and through your words. You are kind…and your words are kind. As you know, kind words live long, travel far, and change lives. But, the purveyor of kindness never really knows how many lives they’ve impacted or changed, nor to what degree.

So, be content, Sandy, to know that your being adds beauty and peace to our world. I am grateful for that, and for you.

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.

Paul Sutherland
aka @BreakThruGuy

Anonymous said...

Well, you're welcome! haha. I love you Sandy, thanks for being so strong for us all! Happy holidays to you and I hope you enjoy it with your family and friends!
Love, robin

Sandy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sandy said...

Dear followers;
You are truly the "Wind beneath my wings!"
Thank you for your heart felt expressions, they mean so much.
By sharing comments you inspire readers and followers of RA Support.
I hope 2010 will be a year of better health for all of us.

Many blessings,
Sandy
"Good Health to You"

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Hi Sandy:
I read your article in the Arthritis Today magazine last evening. It came at a good time. I had a "challenging" day with my RA physician yesterday. I've decided that the medications I have tried (and have failed so far)are not the answer. I was "officially" diagnosed with RA a year and a half ago. DMARD drugs have failed..I can't tolerate the side affects. Yesterday I was faced with the decision of moving on to the biologics. I have decided to forego the biologics and take charge of my own health regime. I am an RN (currently uneemployed) and understand the importance of taking care of my body. You are a real inspiration to me because you choose not to take the drugs too. I am 54 years young and very physically active and I intend to stay that way, God willing, for as long as possible. My passion is my horse and my four dogs. I don't have a beautiful beach to walk on but I spend a lot of time outdoors with my animal family. I'm so glad I saw your article. It gives me inspiration and hope. And I do thank God for every day that I'm able to get up and out of bed and can keep moving. I look forward to following your blog. Thanks! Kim Thomae

Sandy said...

Thank you Kim;

I'm glad you found inspiration in Arthritis Today's article about me.
Please read the diet recommendations and archives on my blog.

Listen to your body as "flare" triggers give us notice something we've done or not done isn't acceptable.
Each of us have different triggers.

As I've mentioned before, it's my readers who are the "Wind beneath my wings!"
Thank you for your heart felt expressions, they mean so much.
Sharing comments inspire all of the readers of RA Support.
Follow me on Twitter at RASupport and on Facebook at Rheumatoid Arthritis Support.

Many blessings,
Sandy
"Good Health to You"

Terry Willen said...

I would love to copy and post part of your blog post on my FB page (would qoute you and give total credit!) Not only do I deal with PsA (a form of RA), but I am getting ready to have my 5th surgery on my left knee (all within 3 and 1/2 yrs.) Darn PsA caused a need for a total knee replacement, which became infected and failed and have had to have subsequent surgeries. I have fellow knee replacement friends on FB and a few others who deal with serious illness. I think it would be so inspiring for them to read this. Thank you so much for your attitude! Let me know if I have your permission! ~Terry

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