Gratefulness: Essential readings

Here we offer essays, personal stories, book excerpts and other select readings that help you in your practice of grateful living.

A Mini-course in Grateful Living - For a solid outline of resources and practice ideas for grateful living.

How Universal Is Gratefulness? - A diverse array of quotes illustrate how gratefulness permeates all cultures.

The Practice of Grateful Living as a Global Ethic, by Chris Wilson
Grateful Living is universal ethic capable of ushering us peacefully into a new era.

A Pledge for Grateful Living - This powerful pledge fosters the attitudes necessary to bring about a world at peace.

Grateful Living Groups in Your Community - A collection of resources for starting your own meditation or practice group.

The How of Happiness
by Sonja Lubyorminsky
What can you do in your daily life to increase your happiness?  Scientific studies offer proven tips, and key amongst them is expressing gratitude.  This series includes:
Expressing Gratitude
Eight Ways Gratitude Boosts Happiness
How To Practice Gratitude

To Give Is To Receive
by Roger Walsh, M.D., Ph.D.
Those who cultivate gratitude have reason to celebrate every day.

Gratitude Schmatitude
by Michele Wahlder, MS, LPC, PCC
How do you cultivate gratefulness when you are really not in the mood?  Here are some helpful tips for your practice.

Setting the Heart to Gratefulness
by Susan Mazrolle
Gratefulness can’t make pain go away.  And maybe it’s not meant to.

Authentic Appreciation
by Terry Pearce
Gratitude goes beyond "thank you" with specific, heartfelt experiences.

Gratitude
by Zoketsu Norman Fischer
Gratitude is wide enough even to cover our own suffering.

Nurturing a Grateful Heart
By Kathy Hendricks
What can parents do to instill gratitude in their children?

Four Days of Thanksgiving
by Sister Mary José Hobday, OSF
Native American ritual of thanksgiving - can you imagine yourself giving thanks for four solid days?

Gratefulness: A Source of Strength
By Dietrich Bonhoeffer
German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer reflects on the transformative power of gratefulness during grief.

Thanksgiving: Key to Peace and Happiness
By Dr. K.L. Seshagiri Rao
Dr Rao, a Hindu scholar, examines our relation to God and to each other.

The Marathon Monks
After a marathon of 27,000 miles -- more than 50 miles per day -- what would be foremost on your mind?

Other Readings:

Brother David Steindl-Rast - A complete index of Brother David's many essays online.

Poetry - Let yourself view gratefulness through the poetic sensitivities of Mary Oliver, William Stafford, Seamus Heaney, and many others.

Questions about Grateful Living - Read responses to visitors' questions on topics ranging from shattered dreams to jealousy's good side.

Gift People - Why not let your own life be turned inside-out by the inspiration of people who followed their dreams?

Deutsche Texte (readings in German)