A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles. — Anonymous
Every year, the third week of May is International New Friends Old Friends Week. So, why not write old and new friends letters letting them know why and how much you appreciate them because, as this proverb says,
There are good ships and wood ships,
ships that sail the sea,
but the best ships are friendships,
may they always be!
Positive Psychology defines gratitude as, “a positive emotion that serves a biological purpose.” What purpose? Happify Daily reports, “People who regularly practice gratitude by taking time to notice and reflect upon the things they’re thankful for experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better, express more compassion and kindness, and even have stronger immune systems.” Read more.
Here are more tools and resources for traveling this 7th Path to Joy:
- The magic of the gratitude letter
- Download a FREE Gratitude Journal
- 31 Benefits of Gratitude
- Why You Need a Gratitude List
- How to Make Your Own Gratitude Journal
Did you know that each year has several friendship celebrations? February is International Friendship Month. The first Sunday in August is National Friendship Day. Women’s Friendship Day is two weeks later. More opportunities for joy! Be sure to view this 3-minute video.
If you concentrate on what you have, you will always end up with more. [Click on picture to view short video.]
This Post’s Featured Art, “Gratitude,” a Visual Meditation
To live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven. – Thomas S. Monson
What I like best:
The hands. The open palms.
Why I like the image:
I experience joy from the open palms.
As the picture formed in my mind, I thought the gathering of hands would suggest wings outspread, taking flight. Now that the picture is done, I like the joy the open hands convey. I smile. My heart gladdens.
What the picture teaches:
I’m reminded that letting people know how they are appreciated and that what they do is valued [the hearts] can bring joy to both the giver and receiver.
The insights gained:
Seeing the many hearts being offered so generously, so freely reminds me of these words:
- We have to fill our hearts with gratitude. Gratitude makes everything that we have more than enough. -Susan L. Taylor
- There’s always something to be thankful for. If you can’t pay your bills, you can be thankful you’re not one of your creditors. – Unknown
- Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for. -Zig Ziglar
- I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. -Gilbert K. Chesterton
Celebrate International New Friends Old Friends Week May 17 to 23rd!
NOTE:
These ‘Paths to Joy’ are adapted from The Treasure Chest, an old book I found years ago. Page 117 contained “The Twelve Rules of Happiness.” Of special delight is using paints markers and ink to illustrate meditations inspired by this wisdom. The technique is adapted from the book Visual Journaling, Going Deeper Than Words, by Barbara Ganim and Susan Fox.
For information and to purchase the Paths to Joy art, visit Sandra’s Galleries.
