Grateful To Have Been There

One recent December, at age 53, John Kralik found his life at a terrible, frightening low: his small law firm was failing; he was struggling through a painful second divorce; he had grown distant from his two older children and was afraid he might lose contact with his young daughter; he was living in a tiny apartment where he froze in the winter and baked in the summer; he was 40 pounds overweight; his girlfriend had just broken up with him; and overall, his dearest life dreams--including hopes of upholding idealistic legal principles and of becoming a judge--seemed to have slipped beyond his reach. Then, during a desperate walk in the hills on New Year's Day, John was struck by the belief that his life might become at least tolerable if, instead of focusing on what he didn't have, he could find some way to be grateful for what he had. Inspired by a beautiful, simple note his ex-girlfriend had sent to thank him for his Christmas gift, John imagined that he might find a way to feel grateful by writing thank-you notes. To keep himself going, he set himself a goal--come what may--of writing 365 thank-you notes in the coming year. One by one, day after day, he began to handwrite thank yous--for gifts or kindnesses he'd received from loved ones and coworkers, from past business associates and current foes, from college friends and doctors and store clerks and handymen and neighbors, and anyone, really, absolutely anyone, who'd done him a good turn, however large or small. Immediately after he'd sent his very first notes, significant and surprising benefits began to come John's way--from financial gain to true friendship, from weight loss to inner peace. While John wrote his notes, the economy collapsed, the bank across the street from his office failed, but thank-you note by thank-you note, John's whole life turned around. 365 Thank Yous is a rare memoir: its touching, immediately accessible message--and benefits--come to readers from the plainspoken storytelling of an ordinary man. Kralik sets a believable, doable example of how to live a miraculously good life. To read 365 Thank Yous is to be changed.

A dazzling and devastating memoir exploring breakdown and obsessive love, in a voice unlike any other

Gratitude is more than a buzz word. Do you want to feel emotionally balanced, have better relationships, be more successful, but above all— feel healthier and happier? Gratitude is a superpower we all have that can be activated like flipping a switch to generate feel-good chemicals. In The Habit of Grateful: a Handbook for Gratitude, author Kristine Newell shares her journey from broken single mom to successful businesswoman with a life she now describes as, “WOW.” Her stories are humorous, relatable and, at times, heart-wrenching, as she takes us on a journey of discovery and redemption. Through the highs and lows, we learn valuable lessons about the science of gratitude, as well as the Four Habits Of Grateful - simple daily actions that are life-changing. Part memoir, part handbook, learn to “follow the breadcrumbs” from experts that have used gratitude as a life raft and daily vitamin to be more balanced, happier, and healthier.

A scientifically groundbreaking, eloquent look at how we benefit -- psychologically, physically, and interpersonally -- when we practice gratitude. In Thanks!, Robert Emmons draws on the first major study of the subject of gratitude, of “wanting what we have,” and shows that a systematic cultivation of this underexamined emotion can measurably change people’s lives."--

A GRATITUDE book for children to help them to think about what they are grateful for and why. Being grateful for our bodies is one of the most important things we can do in our lives. Let's teach our children while they are young that our bodies are awesome and how we can feel gratitude for them. Beautifully illustrated and laid out to help them learn to say THANK YOU for our bodies or whatever we are grateful for! I have learned that being grateful for what we have, even if it is the littlest things, helps us feel lighter, shine brighter, and have a more positive outlook on life. Naming the thing we are grateful for, closing our eyes and feeling how grateful we are and why, and then saying thank you three times really puts us into a positive perspective. As you read this book with your children, ask them what they are grateful for and why. You will be surprised at the beauty of gratitude that lies within them . . . and you!