As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday I want you to know how thankful I am for YOU and all the people who read this newsletter. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life. Thank you for sharing your stories, your challenges, your triumphs and your energy with me. Writing this newsletter has changed my life and I hope it makes a difference in yours.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, here are 5 ways you can make gratitude a focus in your life. Robert Emmons, Editor of the Journal of Positive Psychology and Professor of Psychology at UC-Davis has been studying the benefits of gratitude for the past 7 years and has found that grateful people are happier and more likely to maintain good friendships. Other research shows that it's physiologically impossible to be stressed and thankful at the same time. A state of gratitude, according to research by the Institute of HeartMath, also improves the heart's rhythmic functioning, which helps reduce stress and helps you heal physically. Gratitude is simply great medicine for our heart, mind and body. And like anything in life, the more you practice gratitude the more natural it becomes. Gratitude is like muscle. The more you do with it, the stronger it gets. So flex your gratitude muscles by practicing the following 5 ways to give thanks.

1. Thank You Walk - I wrote about this in The 10-Minute Energy Solution. Simply take a 10-minute walk each day and say out loud what you are thankful for. It doesn't have to be complicated. Simply start with the things that you are blessed with each day... the ability to take a walk, to talk, to breathe. As you walk, shift your thankful thoughts to those you love, your job (even if it drives you nuts), your kids, your garden, etc. This one walk will shift your energy for the entire day by not only placing your mind in a state of gratitude but by also adding a boost of physical exercise to energize your body.

2. Meal Time Thank You's - On Thanksgiving, or just at dinner with your friends and family, go around the table and have each person, including the kids at the little table, say what they are thankful for. Try this for Thanksgiving and email me and let me know how it went. Jon@JonGordon.com

3. Gratitude Visit - Martin Seligman, Ph.D., the father of positive psychology, suggests that we write a letter expressing our gratitude to someone. Then we visit this person and read them the letter. His research shows that people who do this are measurably happier and less depressed a month later.

4. Thank You Prayers - I was recently talking to my Grandfather who is 89. He sounded so upbeat and happy. I asked him what his secret was. He said 95% of the time he prays two simple words, "Thank You." And only 5% of the time does he say "Give me a break, God."

5. Every Day Thanks - Sometimes we forget to thank the people closest to us. It's easy to take people for granted. Just start thanking the people closest to you on a daily basis. Thank your children. Thank your spouse for the little things they do. Thank your co-workers and employees. Thank the security officer in your building. Thank the employees you interact with at the grocery store, the post office, the bank, etc. Visit www.GiftofKindness.com for additional ways to express your thanks and receive free Thank You and Kindness Cards to share with others.

Sending Positive Energy Your Way,
- Jon

Too Blessed to Be Stressed Free Tele-Seminar
Did you know that it is physiologically impossible to be stressed and thankful at the same time? When you feel blessed you can't be stressed. It's a proven fact. Join Jon Gordon for a free teleseminar on Tuesday, December 5th, 2006 from 8:30pm until 9:30pm EST and discover the latest research, insights and action steps from his book The 10- Minute Energy Solution to help you fuel your life and career with strategies and habits that make you feel great rather than negative emotions that sabotage your joy and success. Space is limited. RSVP today!

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Jon Gordon is a leading authority on developing positive, engaged people, leaders, schools, businesses and teams. He is the author of The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel your Work, Live and Team with Positive Energy, The 10 Minute Energy Solution and Energy Addict: 101 Ways to Energize Your Life. Jon's proven solutions are being put to use by people and organizations worldwide and his tips have been featured on CNN, the NBC Today Show, Men's Health, Forbes, Positive Thinking Magazine, and more. He is also the co-founder of PEP- The Positive Energy Program, which creates and funds programs that develop healthy, positive children around the world. Learn more and sign up for Jon's free weekly energy tip newsletter at www.JonGordon.com

(Reprinted with Permission © Copyright 2006 The Jon Gordon Companies)