Katie Couric's Notebook: Gratitude

By: Katie Couric
Topics: Katie's Notebook

Video:
Notebook: Gratitude

Hi, everyone.

Thanksgiving is tomorrow and, for millions of Americans -- genuinely struggling with all kinds of problems -- it seems hard to be grateful...when it's hard to be happy.

And yet, psychologists have come to some interesting new conclusions about happiness, one of which is that gratitude -- for whatever we have -- actually makes us happier.

Time magazine did a fascinating report on this research, and it turns out a lot of what we think will make us happy really doesn't.

Not money, not education, not even a high IQ.

A sunnier climate does nothing to make us sunnier people.

What CAN make us happier?

Religious faith...forgiveness...exercise...friendship...and, above all, gratitude. One psychologist recommends keeping a gratitude journal, as a place to honor our blessings instead of our complaints.

A lot of us will be giving thanks tomorrow. Maybe we'd be happier if we did it every day of the year.

That's a page from my notebook.

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by fmarquez-2009 November 25, 2006 3:29 PM EST: Katie,

Your words are insightful and inspirational. Perhaps not your intention, but I think your passion for life shows in your news broadcasts and certainly your notebook entries. Thank you for sharing your passion with us.; Reply to this comment


by momamy-2009 November 24, 2006 2:03 AM EST: I have always thought that the secret to happiness was to be grateful for what we have in life. Thank you Katie.; Reply to this comment


by davidhansen2 November 24, 2006 1:29 AM EST: not only am i grateful for the wonderful and loving family i have but i also am happy that my family live in a sunny climate in new zealand, but they have parents that have heaps of money (not to brag or anything) and they go to a private school and both have exceptionally hagh IQ's for there age so i am very happy and grateful for how blessed my children are because I made them,

That i am also grateful for is the love and affection that the nice country of new zealand offers (but it has nothing above you new york!!)

thanks and happy thanksgiving from new zealand KAtie and the CBS NEWS team.

Arohanui...
C Mannings- Auckland City; Reply to this comment


by pendragon679 November 23, 2006 7:06 PM EST: I have something to truly be thankful for this year; I survived cancer.; Reply to this comment


by jcorbin1958 November 23, 2006 10:40 AM EST: Not just Thanksgiving, but everyday of the year we should be grateful and thankful for what we have. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving Katie.; Reply to this comment


by darrel30s November 23, 2006 12:54 AM EST: Well put Katie, I agree we should be thankful everyday of the year, we all face challenges and I believe if we are more grateful we would be more happier, one of my personal daily goals.

Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!

Darrel Green; Reply to this comment