A DAILY DOSE OF GRATITUDE

By Eliana Barriga
Publisher and Managing Editor for The Retail Observer

---

Eliana Barriga

Libby Wagner’s article in this issue, A Culture of Gratitude All Year Long, is a great reminder of the power of thankfulness.

In my own life, I’ve found that when I wake up and purposely think of something to be grateful for, my mood is usually much better, so my interactions with other people are more uplifting and how I deal with problems throughout the day seem to be more positive than on the days when I wake up and just get started.

This tiny shift in thinking is not a lot of hoopla either. Just Google ‘the science of gratitude’ and you will find tons of reports and studies by reputable names who have proven that people who practice gratitude enjoy a host of benefits like stronger immune systems and lower blood pressure.

Most of our readers live safe, comfortable, satisfying lives filled with love and joy. However, many don’t take time to stop and acknowledge this fact. So, they’re not getting the full benefits from living such full, rich lives. To live in a world where all of our needs are taken care of is actually not a common thing. Every year, a report called the World Poverty Statistics is made public. Here are some numbers from this year’s report:
• Percentage of world population living on less than $2.50 a day: 50%
• Percentage of people living on less than $10 a day: 80%

So think again the next time you wake up and find yourself filled with a woe-is-me attitude. What we call “problems” are really small in comparison to what the majority of people in the world are facing everyday. Have a few minutes to spare? Here’s an interactive online quiz that will tell you exactly how rich you really are. Go to www.globalrichlist.com.

In gratitude, 
Eliana
[email protected]

---