A Word of Encouragement

We are all taught from infancy that to say “thank you” is good manners. But I wonder if participating in the Girton Gratitude project over these last weeks has increased your awareness that thankfulness is not just good manners, but good for us? According to studies in Psychology Today, expressing and promoting gratitude has positive impacts for our physical, psychological, emotional and relational health. Practicing thankfulness has been scientifically proven to have many personal benefits, from improved self-esteem and sleep to less aches and pains. Not only so, but practicing gratitude has a ripple effect that goes beyond us to have a positive impact into our wider network. For example, people who grow in thankfulness are better able to build new friendships and strengthen existing ones and they tend to demonstrate enhanced empathy whilst reducing toxic factors like envy and resentment within their relationships. 

It’s not surprising to me that thankfulness has been proven to have such positive impacts for us. I think it’s just another example of how God’s way is not only good in itself, but also good for us. His will is that we ‘Give thanks in all circumstances’ (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Whatever is going on in our lives and our world, we always have things to be thankful for if only we would stop to see them! So growing in thankfulness is not actually about our circumstances but our mindset. It’s possible to be going through really tough things and yet to be growing in thankfulness and the blessings which flow from gratitude even in the midst of difficult times. This happens when we adopt a mindset that looks for the blessings in our lives, taking notice instead of taking for granted, and then voicing our thankfulness for these underserved delights in all their variety. I hope these last weeks you have not only grown in a habit of thankfulness, but that you also have been personally blessed, encouraged, comforted and cheered on as the magic of gratitude has worked its way into your very soul! 

After another challenging term, may you enjoy now a time to rest. Even those of you gearing up for your final push to exams, make sure you stop and savour some sun on your face, some chances to reconnect with friends, and some time re-fueling in whatever fills your tank with life and joy. And then don’t forget to give thanks for each of these blessings.

Happy holidays everyone!

Rev Karen Reid

Girton Chaplain