Photo by RDNE Stock project
Let’s climb into the “Way Back Machine” and go back to the year 1897. A song called “Count Your Blessings” was published. The lyrics were from Johnson Oatman Jr (I think that is a cool name) and the music was composed by Edwin O. Excell (another great name).
Depending upon your background you may have heard this in Sunday school. Here are the lyrics:
When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.
(All credits to whomever owns the publishing rights to this song)
Regardless of whether you have ever heard this song or not, research backs the idea that counting our blessings is good for us. In fact, it can create something called the Grateful Brain an idea talked about by Dr. Alex Korb and Christina Karns in Psychology Today.
What so great about the Grateful Brain? Basically, the grateful brain:
Actually has a different structure and function
Has reward circuits and stress-reduction areas that function better and…
Improved neuroplasticity which is a fancy word that means Neurons that fire together, wire together. and your brain works better
So, whether you want to hum this tune while writing down things you are grateful for or just make a mental note, take a moment to count the things you appreciate in your life. You’ll stress less and feel better.