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Summer 2013 Gratitude Student Wiki

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on August 4, 2013 at 12:48:46 am
 

 

This Wiki focuses on gratitude. There is information on how gratitude improves well-being. There are also many health benefits that one can gain from practicing gratitude. Suggestions for ways you can incorporate gratitude in your life are also available in this Wiki. In addition, video-clips feature the use of a gratitude journal, the gratitude challenge, and the power gratitude possesses.(Siouxsie Owen) 

 

Gratitude is a way of living and the positive benefits associated with practicing gratitude are great. Happiness is a common theme amongst those who express appreciation. Improved energy, optimism, and empathy are also some of the characteristics that are linked to gratitude. (Siouxsie Owen)

 

Recommendations to integrate gratitude into your life include taking time to appreciate life. This sometimes requires you to slow down and take notice of “things” that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. Saying thank you to others is also of importance. It is essential to focus on what you have – not on what you don’t have when practicing gratitude.(Siouxsie Owen)

 

In the provided video-clips for this Wiki, Oprah discusses her use of a gratitude journal over the past 16 years to see and give thanks to “the little things” that happen each day in our lives. Another video listed shows 30 people who took the challenge to express appreciation each day even though overpowering difficulties occurred. Lastly, there is a YouTube video that displays the power of gratitude and how gratitude can truly change your life. (Siouxsie Owen) 

 

 

 

 

“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.” -Brian Tracy (Siouxsie Owen)

 

 

 

PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES 

 

This is a great article that examines various studies on how gratitude can improve individual well-being.

 

Nelson, C. (2009). Appreciating gratitude: Can gratitude be used as a psychological intervention to improve individual well-being?. Counselling Psychology Review, 24(3/4), 38-50.  Retrieved from 

http://libproxy.nau.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=44921248&login.asp&site=ehost-live&scope=site

(Siouxsie Owen)

 

This is an interesting article that looks at the effects gratitude has on youth.

 

Froh, J. J., Bono, G., & Emmons, R. (2010). Being grateful is beyond good manners: Gratitude and motivation to contribute to society among early adolescents. Motivation & Emotion, 34(2), 144-157. doi:10.1007/s11031-010-9163-z

Retrieved from http://libproxy.nau.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=51624453&login.asp&site=ehost-live&scope=site

(Siouxsie Owen)

 

This article discusses the many health benefits of gratitude.

 

Alspach, G. (2009). Extending the tradition of giving thanks: Recognizing the health benefits of gratitude. Critical Care Nurse, 29(6), 12-18.

Retrieved from http://libproxy.nau.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=45462726&login.asp&site=ehost-live&scope=site

(Siouxsie Owen)

 

 

 

 Randy Pausch quote

 

Quote/Picture above - (Siouxsie Owen)

 

 

 

 

BOOKS

 

The book Power of Appreciation, discusses everyday scenarios and provides examples on how you can use appreciation to better your life.

 

Nelson, N. (2006). Power of appreciation. London, ON, CAN: Insomniac Press.

Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com.libproxy.nau.edu/lib/nau/docDetail.action?docID=10176546&p00=gratitude

(Siouxsie Owen)

 

The book Gratitude in Education: A Radical View, discusses the use of gratitude in education and also examines gratitude as a practice.

 

Howells, K. (2012). Gratitude in education: A radical view. Rotterdam, NLD: Sense Publishers. 

Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com.libproxy.nau.edu/lib/nau/docDetail.action?docID=10589458&p00=gratitude

(Siouxsie Owen)

 

The book Words of Gratitude for Mind, Body, and Soul looks at gratitude through a religious/spiritual perspective.

 

Emmons, R. A., & Hill, J. (2009). Words of gratitude for mind, body, and soul. Radnor, PA: Templeton Press.

Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com/lib/alltitles/docDetail.action?docID=10488644

(Siouxsie Owen)

 

 

 

 

WEBSITES

 

This site briefly discusses the benefits of gratitude and provides additional links to stories linked of gratitude.

 

(2013). The benefits of gratitude. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/gratitude

(Siouxsie Owen)

 

This site provides 7 quick and easy tips to practice gratitude in your life.

 

Parry, W. (2013). 7 tips to cultivate gratitude. Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/25900-7-tips-gratitude-happiness.html

(Siouxsie Owen)

 

This website provides reasons why you should practice gratitude as well as suggestions on how to incorporate gratitude in your life.

 

Babauta, L. (2007). Why living a life of gratitude can make you happy. Retrieved from http://zenhabits.net/why-living-a-life-of-gratitude-can-make-you-happy/

(Siouxsie Owen) 

 

 

 

 

MEDIA 

 

Provided below is a short video clip from an episode of Oprah’s Life Class discussing the use of a gratitude journal.  

 

(2012). Oprah’s gratitude journal. Retrieved from http://www.oprah.com/oprahs-lifeclass/Oprah-on-the-Importance-of-Her-Gratitude-Journal-Video

(Siouxsie Owen) 

 

This YouTube link is a short video clip of 30 people who took the gratitude challenge. It shows the benefits they gained – even when adversity struck.

 

(2009). The gratitude challenge. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHxlXLDMG0Q  

(Siouxsie Owen)

 

The YouTube link below is a brief video clip that shows quotes from numerous people and it also features the power of gratitude.

 

(2009). The power of gratitude. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWox-_G8YjU

(Siouxsie Owen)

 

 

What I'm Grateful For: (Siouxsie Owen)

GRATITUDE WIKI; SIOUXSIE OWEN.pptx  

 

 

 

A GRATITUDE PRAYER

(Siouxsie Owen)

 

“Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.”
- Author Unknown (Siouxsie Owen)

- Retrieved from http://zenhabits.net/why-living-a-life-of-gratitude-can-make-you-happy/ 

 

 


TRANSFORMATIONAL SUMMARY:

When I first started my gratitude practice I was skeptical as to if this practice would work. Well, maybe I wasn’t skeptical, but I was curious as to how this practice would transform me. Soon after practicing journaling, I decided to give this a try. What I found out about gratitude is that this practice makes me very happy. I think even the thought of gratitude brightens my spirit a little. I have noticed that I am more aware of my surrounding, especially the people that are in it. I feel like that I seem to enjoy colors, like on flowers and fruits, and the flavor of foods more since starting this exercise. I think a really cool way that I can personally use gratitude is to start a gratitude jar at the beginning of each semester. I can put three things that I am grateful for every week and then read them after the semester is over or right before finals. Another creative way that I can practice gratitude is to start a word collage. I can cut out or write down words of things that I am grateful for; it can even be an interactive activity between the roommates. I can use this professionally at my current place of employment with my mentees. I work with freshmen and sophomores and some of them come in pretty overwhelmed at times. I think that it would be great to start our meetings off with one thing they are grateful for that day. I could even have a gratitude activity for the programs that myself and coworkers put on every semester. I think that this can really help the outlook of many students. I feel that the practice of gratitude has allowed me to appreciate the little things in life like the rain, shoe laces, and flowers. Gratitude has changed my thought process for the better and I finds myself thinking more positively.

 

(Jacqueline V. Brown)

 

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