Gratitude Works!: A 21–Day Program for Creating Emotional Prosperity

Praise for Gratitude Works! " Gratitude Works! works wonders for me. Not only does it provide a more realistic and plausible approach to cultivating the disposition of gratitude than have any previous books, it also clearly affirms the connection between an attitude of gratitude and our likelihood of actively helping others. Gratitude actually causes people to become joyful givers, and we reap the benefits. Now that is big news for sure!" —Stephen G. Post, Ph.D., Stony Brook University School of Medicine; bestselling author, The Hidden Gifts of Helping "If you're intrigued by gratitude—its history, its benefits and rewards, how to cultivate it, and how it 'works'—and you want to hear about it from the world's preeminent expert on the topic, you have come to the right place. There is no better book about gratitude on the market." —Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D., author, The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want and The Myths of Happiness: What Should Make You Happy, but Doesn't, What Shouldn't Make You Happy, but Does "Gratitude has been the key that's opened so many doors to God's grace and mercy in our lives. A grateful heart and a thankful perspective is what has fueled our passion to fulfill His purpose on our lives as individuals and together as a family for the past 25 years. Read this book and see how and why gratitude works!" —The Katinas, contemporary Christian music group "The world's leading authority on gratitude has given us a deeply heartfelt and practical guide to its healing, strengthening, and mood-lifting powers. A wonderful combination of science, soul, and immediately helpful ideas and practices." —Rick Hanson , Ph.D., author, Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom

Preface v Acknowledgments xi 1 The Challenge of Gratitude 1 2 Journaling for Gratitude 19 3 Beyond the Journal: Gratitude Letters and Visits 49 4 Growing Gratitude Through Spiritual Disciplines 75 5 The Biggest Obstacle to Gratitude—and Its Remedy 105 6 Gratitude, Suffering, and Redemption 131 7 The Twenty–One–Day Gratitude Challenge 159 Notes 173 Additional Readings 185 About the Author 186 Index 188

Robert A. Emmons , Ph.D., is professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis. He is past president of the American Psychological Association's Division 36, The Psychology of Religion. Emmons is founding editor and editor-in-chief of The Journal of Positive Psychology.