Taste Life Blog

 What gift could you give someone that you care about that costs you nothing and is absolutely priceless? Your gratitude! Read on…

I have been a student of happiness for the past twelve years. My favorite book The How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky, is packed for most of my vacations. Can you think of a better gift to give yourself than discovering how to be happier? For the past ten years, I have wanted to create a gratitude visit for Mr. John Devins who was the CEO of Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia, Minnesota when I worked there for ten years as a dietitian. He listened to me, encouraged me and inspired me. He even created a new job for me. When I came upon road blocks he always helped me out. I felt like I was getting the run around to buy a Chere Banana costume and when I was at the end of my rope I asked him and all he said was, “Put a PO on my desk.” And it was done! For those you don’t know me as Chere Banana, I donned a six-foot banana peel and through the years I delivered very entertaining, lively and fun nutrition talks to 20,000 kids for Children’s Hospital Week. I loved it and the kids loved me. I am still known to many as Chere Banana.

In December, I was hired to deliver Healthy Self presentations to the Ridgeview Medical Center staff and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to do the gratitude visit. I nervously called Mr. Devins a week earlier and he said yes come over. I later learned he had to switch the time he went to mass as it was a holy day for my 8:30 visit. I arrived to his home with his front door wide open like he was waiting for me – Christmas music blaring, Christmas tree lit, coffee ready, and his utmost attention. We reminisced for ninety minutes. Then, I nervously pulled out the letter I had written him. I tried not to cry as I read it out loud (Gary said I would cry and I did just like I did when I practiced with Gary). When I was reading, I would look into his eyes, which would make me cry. At the end, all he could say was, “Well, I’ll be…I’ll be…I had no clue what I meant to you.” My heart was full. When I was saying goodbye to him, he looked at me in the eyes and said, “You can call me John.”

The first few days after the gratitude visit I would think about our visit and tear up. It was a precious time like nothing I had ever experienced in my life. A week later I was floating on cloud 9 and would ask myself, “Chere, why are you so happy?” I reflected and thought it must have been the gratitude visit. I recommend creating a gratitude visit as it can be a happiness game changer.

Martin Seligman, who is called the father of positive psychology, tells us that the gratitude visit to share your appreciation has been shown to be the single best intervention for increasing happiness and positive emotion. Studies show that the feelings of positive well-being can last for up to six months.

Steps to Your Gratitude Visit

• Think of who in your life – teachers, coaches, colleagues, teammates, or employers or friends – have been especially kind and compassionate towards you but you have never expressed your gratitude.

• Write a detailed “gratitude letter” explaining why you are grateful. The letter should contain details, name specifics they did for you, and exactly how it affected your life.

• Tell what you are doing now and how you remember them. As Martin Seligman says, “the letter should sing.”

• Call this special person and tell them you want to visit. But do not share why.

• Show up and read your letter out loud.

• Congratulations, you have just given yourself a gift too, the gift of happiness.

The holidays are the perfect time of year to share what is in your heart and this priceless gift. So, what are you waiting for? Isn’t there someone you want to visit? I have learned being grateful is an art that grows and grows if cultivated and practiced. Start today!

Happy Holidays! I am grateful for each one of you!

Love,

Photo curtesy of flickr