By Jackie Pope-Ganser, Life Enrichment Director, Meadows at Mercy Creek
What does it mean to bring in the New Year? People often talk about the changes they will make in the coming year. Resolutions abound and we promise ourselves that we will be better — better at eating healthfully, better at exercising, better at our jobs, better at saving money, better at keeping in touch with others, better at volunteering, better about going to church — the list is endless. When we make those promises to ourselves, what actually happens when we don’t meet our expectations? What happens when we feel like we have failed?
As the New Year approaches, we have a new opportunity to look at the coming year differently than we have in the past. Of course, it is important to set goals. It is equally important to remember that while a goal may not be fully realized, the positive improvements you make along the way are measures of success. Perhaps this New Year your resolution should very simply be about gratitude. Being grateful is a powerful weapon. Sharing your gratitude with others can be even more powerful. When you make a change in your attitude and share your gratitude, you may empower others to follow in your footsteps.
Gratitude is defined as the quality of being thankful: readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. A favorite quote by William Arthur Ward states that “Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” Reading that quote, one might realize that by practicing gratitude, you can shift your focus from what you feel like you are lacking in life, and, instead, recognize the gifts that are already present. Psychological research has shown that practicing gratitude can increase happiness levels by about 25 percent. Robert Emmons, PhD, one of the foremost experts on gratitude, stated that unanticipated life improvements can result from the practice of gratitude. It makes people happier, more confident, strengthens our relationships, reduces stress, and improves our overall health.
What are some steps we can take to become truly grateful? One way is to practice gratitude exercises. There are many journals, calendars, and daily inspirational books to guide you along your journey. There is opportunity for gratitude in all our moments from our morning cup of coffee to an evening walk, we just have to learn to be thankful for the happy aspects of our choices. As you drink that morning cup of coffee, are you grateful for the warmth it gives you? Does the aroma remind you of a favorite person? Do you look out your window and appreciate that moment of quiet before your day really gets going? If a daily walk is part of your routine, you are benefiting from the exercise, but be grateful for what you may encounter along the way. Maybe the clouds are full of life when you look to the sky, the leaves on the trees may be the richest fall shades, or the squirrel carrying an acorn across your path may provide a moment of lightheartedness at the end of a heavy day.
As the New Year approaches, welcome it with a grateful heart. May you find the countless blessings in the seemingly mundane everyday life. Remember to recognize the little things in life that make us happy and share those with others. By being grateful, it is not to say that everything in our lives is great, but it does mean that we are aware of our blessings. So, as we bring in the New Year, do it with a fresh perspective. In 2017, may we all resolve to hone the practice of being grateful. Then we may all share the gift that truly keeps on giving.
Meadows offers a full-range of senior living options — Independent Living, Independent Living—Plus!, Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing Care, Memory Care, Respite Care, and Achieve! Wellness and Rehab Therapy — with two locations: Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community in Chenoa and Meadows at Mercy Creek in Normal. To learn more about senior living options at Meadows,
visit www.meadowscommunities.org or contact Holly Hall at 309-268-1501.