Day Two of my gratitude log.

Before getting too far down the path on this log, I need to express my gratitude to my mother. She is the one who carried me for nine months. She is the one that gave birth to me. She breastfed me, nurtured me, carried me, changed my diaper, and took care of me for the first year of my life. After that, she did the lions share of my care after my father re-entered my life having spent most of the first year on a ship, on duty with the US Navy as a doctor. I have tried to tell her of my gratitude for her many times and I feel like it can never be enough. Thanks, Mom! I love you! (I'll tell her again real soon)

Doing a gratitude practice has benefits for you as this article suggests. In brief, it says that

1. "Gratitude unshackles us from toxic emotions." When we are expressing gratitude we are thinking positive thoughts. So keep the gratitude positive. 
2. "Gratitude helps even if you don't share it" - hence this blog, even though as often as possible I will try to tell people - Thank you!
3. "Gratitude's benefits take time" - Which is why I'll try to keep writing this blog. One needs to exercise patience. Patience, another attribute that can help with mindfulness, which helps with happiness.
4. "Gratitude has lasting effects on the brain." - I hope so.