20091126 The Importance of Being Thankful (1)

The Importance of Being Thankful

Discover why a thankful attitude is good for you

On Thanksgiving Day, most Americans give thanks. But many experts now agree that people should make gratitude part of their daily lives. Recent studies show that a thankful attitude brings both emotional and physical benefits.

Emotional benefits
According to research, the practice of gratitude can increase your happiness by 25 percent! Thankful people are found to be kinder and more likely to feel loved. They express greater satisfaction in life and more hope for the future. For these people, frustration and fear, resulting from negative attitudes, are replaced by joy and peace.

Physical benefits
Interestingly, gratitude produces a physical reaction in the body. Thinking about someone or something you appreciate produces a calming effect on the nervous system. This action results in peace of mind, reduced stress and protective benefits for the heart. Health advantages include more energy, better sleep and less general body pain.

The biggest benefit, though, is that a grateful attitude makes those around you feel better! Why not begin today by practicing an attitude of gratitude? You might be surprised by how good it makes you feel!


gratitude n. 感激/感謝
=> a feeling of being thankful
eg: I sent Jill a thank you card to express my gratitude for her help.
eg: This bouquet of flowers represents our gratitude for your thoughtfulness.

grateful adj. 感謝的/感激的
= thankful
eg: A grateful child makes his or her parents feel appreciated.
eg: I am grateful that I have such nice parents.

emotion n. 情緒
emotional adj. 感情上的
eg: People with strong emotional health accept responsibility for the things they do.
eg: Helping others provides emotional satisfaction.

emotional adj. 情緒化的
eg: Sandy is very emotional. It's really hard to work with her.

frustration n. 挫折/挫折感
eg: Ben felt his frustration build when he couldn't solve the math problem before the test ended.
eg: Mrs. Smith experienced a lot of frustration when none of her students handed in their homework.
eg: Learn how to cope with frustration at work and don't allow it to get the best of you(別讓它擊垮你)!

nervous system 神經系統

//== Chat Room ==//

pay v. 給予
eg: paying compliments 給予贊賞
eg: pay attention 給予注意
eg: I will pay him a visit.

you get what you pay for 一分錢一分貨
=> 這句話通常用來表示便宜的東西容易壞

pay your dues 支付會費
=> 延伸的意義為一個人加入組織都要先有付出才會獲得同僚的尊敬

pay the price 付出代價


//== Grammar on the Go ==//

Thankful people are found to be kinder and more likely to feel loved.
=> Thankful people are seen as being kinder and more likely to feel loved.

find v. 察覺
=> perceive (as)
=> see (as)
eg: Jamie thinks the movie was boring.
=> Jamie found the moving boring.
eg: I find it easier to study when I have music on.


find v. 發現
=> discovery
eg: I found my keys under my bed.