Six Ways to Give Thanks

Unhappy? According to author and psychologist Robert Emmons, gratitude is the missing factor in your life. People who regularly give thanks experience less depression than their peers. Fortunately, there are many ways to effectively express this emotion. Do:

1. Adopt a shelter.
A wonderful way to give thanks is to adopt a local shelter. You can find many in your area that cater to pets and women. As you continuously provide them with support, consider how blessed you are to have a warm place to lay your head. You earn enough money to be self-reliant and independent.

2. Give a 30% tip.
Know a waiter or waitress who always treats you right? The next time you eat at this individual's place of business, up your tip to 30%. This figure is 15% above the recommended amount. Your extra effort will help a hard worker that is part of a challenging industry make ends meet.

3. Empty your pantry.
Quit complaining about the lack of room in your kitchen cabinets. A great way to give thanks is to donate boxed and canned goods to the hungry. You can participate in a food drive at your work or church. Also, many homeless shelters accept non-perishable items throughout the year.

4. Send a thank you.
Has a friend done a favor for you lately? Commemorate the event by writing a thank you note. Explain to him or her how one act of kindness affected you. Be sure to use nice stationary to carry out this act.

5. Shovel a walkway.
Most people experience at least two seasons, yearly, in which their walkway is mired by the elements. One way to give thanks is to help your aging parents by volunteering to keep this area clean. Show them a bit of gratitude for the years they invested in you.

6. Host Thanksgiving.
Do you usually visit a relative's house for Thanksgiving dinner? For a change, offer to host this holiday meal at your residence. Allow the people who make your world special to rest their laurels. Start a new precedence that levels out the generosity in your family tree.

The above are six ways in which you can give thanks. Apply them to your life. The more you do for others, the less sorry you will feel for yourself. You may also realize that you are complete, as-is, and don't need anything else to make you happy.

Also see:
10 Reasons Americans Should Be Thankful