Gratitude is the New Attitude

Happy 2012! I have to say I may have started the year on a shaky note, resolution-wise, with an act of procrastination. I meant to write this post yesterday, but we'll go ahead and call today the start of the new year. Today I want to share something that has inspired me to improve my general attitude and approach toward life. As you might imagine (and some of you know first-hand), being a parent can be the weirdest simultaneity of absolute exhilarating joy and complete and utter exhaustion. It is the great experience of my life so far - but let me tell you, it is HARD WORK. Add to that working on my doctorate and keeping at bay the chaos lurking outside the door of my household, and you have the perfect recipe for one tired, demoralized mama. Fortunately I have an arsenal of anti-blue weapons at my disposal - the forementioned fountain of all joy, a baby boy that I only have to look at to return a smile to my face; a fantastically supportive husband who dives in to all baby-caring and household tasks as a true partner, consoles patiently through any meltdowns (of baby and mommy), and is ready with a joke to lighten the mood; a family network that has been there for us unconditionally since day one (of William's life and our own), traveling repeatedly to help out these brand-new parents, dote on their grandson, and make it possible for me to chug along on my dissertation; most of all, divine strength to draw from when my well runs dry and the unmatched blessing of faith in the Rock that never breaks.

With all that in mind, I was recently brought to self-reflection by a piece on CBS Sunday Morning called  "Making Gratitude an Attitude," regarding a scientific study showing that gratitude is measurably good for our health. The idea is that after the holidays, many of us have a bit of an emotional crash after the Christmas-cheer-induced high of holiday tidings and glee. I have to admit that January can look pretty bland after the tree goes down (yesterday), the holiday tunes recede and the neighborhood lights disappear. As Faith Salie talks about in this feature (video below), gratitude is a powerful antidote to those post-holiday doldrums, and a healthy practice throughout the rest of the year.





Although certainly gratitude is a practice valued and emphasized across secular and religious communities, as a Christian it's something that I've been taught to make second nature all my life. The older we get, though, it seems the harder it is to focus on the thanks when overwhelmed by the needs. Lately when I pray I've been trying to force myself to tell God what I'm thankful for before starting on my list of many requests. It's surprisingly hard to do! I definitely have an easier time thinking of what I need help with sometimes than with listing my blessings. But the truth is that I do have a whole lot to feel grateful for as this new year begins, so every day this month I'm going to write down something that I'm grateful for - I'll probably post it on Facebook, and then I'll post the week's list here on the weekend. I'd love for you to join me on my endeavor if you'd like, and write your own list of things you're thankful for in the comments. Today I'll start with the five things I'm grateful for from 2011:

1. The healthy birth and wonder-filled first year of my beautiful son
2. Getting to know my husband on a whole new level with a year of sharing the rollercoaster of parenthood - now I've even more sure I made the right choice!
3. Passing my prospectus colloquium
4. Having the encouragement of friends to get me writing more regularly again
5. Meeting people through my work who awe me with their artistic genius and honor me with the chance to call them friends