Thanksgiving is upon us here in the U.S. And for some, worries and fears accompany the holiday.
1) Depressed—do holidays depress you, make you feel lonely, highlight a less-than-perfect present?
2) Overwhelmed—do holidays mean added work, family responsibilities, traveling, relationships, in-laws?
3) Anxious—have you let weeks (or more) go by without your doing any work on your diss? Are you worried that you won’t get any work done over Thanksgiving, even though you think you have to accomplish something?
4) Worried about food—are you concerned that once again you’ll go into a food coma?
5) TV coma? Wine coma?
Sounds like another happy holiday for you!
What would you be willing to do in order to have a new, improved Thanksgiving this year?
A Thanksgiving when you would follow through on your commitment to do some writing?
“Think about a time when you were grateful. What other feelings do you associate with this state?” So writes Robert A. Emmons in his new book Thanks! How the new science of gratitude can make you happier.
Gratitude has the capacity to override bitterness, resentment, hatred, entitlement.
It gives us a chance to consider others’ contributions to our success.
Emmons argues that practicing gratitude “makes us happier and healthier people”—giving us outcomes such as greater vitality, optimism, hope, empathy.
As writers, our work is easier when we are happy, or even mildly happy.
I found Robert Emmons’s research-based writing compelling. His “evidence-based prescriptions for becoming more grateful” promise results.
In my next posting I’ll list some of his intriguing prescriptions that you can put into practice right away.
Also, if you’re interested in more tips about writing, please visit my website (www.nwcoaching.com) to sign up for my newsletter.
Until next time,
Nancy
www.nwcoaching.com