Healing Power of Gratitude
I happen to have a window office in a local corporate park that overlooks a sculpture garden. Every night, I have a front row seat to the majesty of pink and purple hues as the sun sets behind a billow of clouds. It is an amazing reminder of all those little things in life that we sometimes take for granted, especially now. So many of us are confronted with challenges on countless fronts - the care of aging parents, crazy markets, state, national and global economic woes, discerning the meaning of life and so on.
You've probably heard the adage that the alternative to getting older is not a pleasant one. In that vein, I'd like to share the words of President John F. Kennedy who is quoted as saying that "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." How true. When I read some of the headlines of late about scandal and fraud, I am grateful that I have the opportunity to work with organizations that share our focus on growing the value proposition pie for our shareholders and clients alike as opposed to viewing the upside as fixed and therefore fighting to the bitter end for the last morsel.
"Thank you" has benefits that go beyond the warm and fuzzy. Increasing amounts of research substantiate the positive. In her bestselling book, "Thank You Power: Making the Science of Gratitude Work for You," Deborah Norville documents studies that link "yes" thinking to all sorts of rewarding outcomes. Dr. Dan Baker has conducted extensive work in this area of happiness and productivity. He is the author of "What Happy Companies Know" and "What Happy People Know."
As we head into a long weekend, I plan to spend some time in the office. I'm not complaining. I'm grateful for the chance to (hopefully) be making a difference in the way people view investment best practices. I'm appreciative of another lovely sunset, a chance to listen to classical music while I work and to live to see another day.
How lucky is that?
