Gratitude: a prescription for happiness

In November, we celebrate both Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving. These holidays provide opportunities for reflection. We live in an amazing country. We have the freedom to travel. We can worship how and where we like. We enjoy a high standard of living and opportunities to learn and excel. The technology available to us is astounding, and our access to information increases with every update and new app.

In 2015, the Pew Research Center evaluated 111 countries that account for 88% of the world’s population. The study broke income into the categories of the poor (whose income is less than $2.00 a day per person), low income ($2-$10), middle income ($10-$50), upper-middle ($20-$50) and high income (over $50). Not surprisingly the United States had 88% of its population in the upper-middle and high income when compared to the rest of the world. One could debate the finer points of the study; however, the bottom line is that we have more than the majority of earth’s inhabitants. Why is it then, that according to a Harris Poll done in 2017, that only 33% of Americans identify themselves as being happy?

Current motivational speaker Denis Waitley stated, “Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.” How many of us live with love, grace, and gratitude? When did we last say thank you to a stranger holding open a door for us? Or pay for the meal or groceries of another?

I love this quote from Dietrich Bonheoffer, a German pastor who died in a concentration camp: “In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.”

Rather than merely counting our blessings, may I suggest that we act on that gratitude that such accounting brings. May we share our time and talents with others. There are many amazing opportunities to serve in our community. Thanksgiving Blessing provides Thanksgiving meals to those in need; Salvation Army needs bell ringers; you can volunteer or donate to Toys for Tots with the United States Marines. Or look on JustServe.org to find a project that matches your interests to serve like Christ served others.

In KJV Matthew 25:35-40 it reads: “For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink: When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?... And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

I have been selfish at times and have not allowed the feelings of gratitude to fill my heart and mind. I have often worried about my needs, but when compared to others, they are minor when seen with the spirit of Christ.

It is my prayer this Thanksgiving and upcoming Christmas season that we live with intention and true happiness. Follow the example of Christ with a thankful heart. This is the true prescription for happiness: living a Christ-like life.

John Boston is a local physician, Colonel in the Alaska Air National Guard, father, husband, grandfather, and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.