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    Something to Think About: Gratitude Can Help In Adversity

a medical staff member, doctor or nurse, holding patient's hand and helping the person walk

Dear friend,

That was a tough day. Our younger daughter, Sia, had a raging infection. Her fever was 105 degrees. She looked really unwell. We took her to the ER. After elaborate testing, we received the diagnosis, she was prescribed antibiotics, and we drove back home.

After a few minutes of sharing worries, we began counting our blessings. Her illness had been diagnosed in time; it was curable; we had access to medical care with kind, competent staff; the world has antibiotics now; her immune system was normal…

We had a whole lot to be grateful for. As we started compiling the list of what was right, our attention shifted. By the time we reached home, we felt good and secure. We were focusing on solutions and had quit struggling with all the what ifs.

Sia recovered quickly. We learned that even in the midst of a very difficult situation, our minds can find aspects to be grateful for. Further, such search can provide hope and comfort and stop unhelpful, energy-depleting ruminations and worries.

May the power of gratitude transform your memories of plight into moments of delight.

Take care.
Amit

Dr. Sood 2

Read Gratitude Can Help in Adversity and previous blog posts.
Also, follow @AmitSoodMD on Twitter.

Dr. Sood is director of research in the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program on Mayo Clinic's Rochester campus in Minnesota. He also chairs the Mind-Body Medicine Initiative at Mayo Clinic.