Emotions can bottle up inside you, but you don’t have to let them. You can master your thoughts, feelings, and emotions and learn to let them out in positive ways, so they don’t cause you stress and harm.

One of the best ways to improve your health and handle your emotions is by expressing your gratitude. Yes, really!

Ask yourself: What are you thankful for? Who matters in your life? Even when life may not be going as planned, there are still many things to be grateful for.

Give Your Gratitude Away

No matter how much you appreciate someone in your life, that person may not have any idea about how you feel. Rather than just assume they know your thoughts and feelings, go ahead and speak up. Tell them how you really feel and what’s in your heart.

See the smile? It feels good, doesn’t it? When you smile back, laugh, and even share tears of joy and love, it helps your heart, mind, and body thrive. It releases a flood of chemicals that your body just loves. It’s a “feel-good” thing to do. That’s true for both you and the receiver of your gratitude.

Maybe you’re grateful for something you have, as opposed to a person. Did you ever think about sending a thankful message to the company that makes the products you love? They probably hear all about customer complaints, but how much gratitude do they get for the work they’ve done to make lives better or more convenient? Give them some of your gratitude and you’ll spread joy all around!

Ways to Show Your Gratitude

Showing gratitude is something you can do quite easily and all it costs you is a little bit of time and effort.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Tell your loved ones you care for them.
• Hug a friend who’s hurting.
• Smile at a stranger.
• Write to a company whose product or service you really love.
• Make time to listen to someone who needs to talk.
• Spend some time out in nature, appreciating the beauty of creation.
• Volunteer your services or help someone in need.

You can also show your gratitude just for being alive by treating others well and being kind to yourself. Relaxing and taking time to unwind from the stress of everyday life is very important, and you’ll be happier and healthier because of it.

Focus on What Really Matters

Many people are unhappy with their circumstances, and it’s often because they feel they don’t have enough money, a big house, or the ultimate car. These things are nice, but in the grand scheme of things, they don’t really matter. After all, when you’re on your deathbed, will you wish you had that red Ferrari? Or will you wish that you had more time with your loved ones?

Connect with what really matters by being grateful for all you’ve been given.

There will be obstacles and stumbling blocks in life, but there is joy all around you as well. When you tap into that joy, keep a positive attitude, and show how grateful you are, you’ll prove that you’re able to let go of unnecessary baggage. It’s a great feeling, and one that you can give yourself, today, right now. What a wonderful thing to be grateful for!

December 1, 2010 marks the 22nd anniversary of World Aids Day. First observed in 1988, World Aids Day was intiated by health ministers from around the world who called for a spirit of social tolerance and a greater awareness of HIV/AIDS on an international scale.

We have a responsibility in our communities to observe this day and raise awareness, increase knowledge, and promote action. Here are a list of a few ideas that can be explored in your neighborhood, at work, or in the classroom.

World AIDS Day In Your Neighborhood

• Wear a red ribbon as a symbol of hope to work, school or clubs – or distribute red ribbons at community gatherings.
• Organize a candlelight vigil at a community center or at a public park and invite local performers and speakers.
• Decorate a World AIDS Day tree or bulletin board to display in a local library or courthouse in memory of those who have died of AIDS.
• Write a letter or editorial to your local newspaper urging news coverage of World AIDS Day.
• Set up a table or booth at an existing community event to display HIV/AIDS exhibits, posters, flyers, or brochures.
• Send an World AIDS Day e-card to friends and family urging their support for AIDS awareness.

World AIDS Day At Work

• Ask your employer to help establish December 1 as a day to address the issue of HIV/AIDS in your workplace
• Educate employees about the prevention of HIV/AIDS: display posters, flyers, brochures, invite guest speakers, provide information through employee newsletters, E-mail messages and Web pages.
• Have your company sponsor community events by donating products to local HIV/AIDS programs, organize an AIDS fundraising events (run, walk, bike) or set up a display in the office lobby.
• Distribute World AIDS Day ribbons, posters, flyers or brochures in company mailboxes, cafeterias or break rooms.
• Retail businesses: place a World AIDS Day poster in your window, at checkout counters or community bulletin board.

World AIDS Day In the Classroom

• Set aside class time for a special lesson or speaker on HIV/AIDS.
• Create a website, brochure or video for teaching parents the facts about HIV/AIDS.
• Invite a person living with AIDS or health care worker to come and talk to students about HIV/AIDS discrimination.
• Create a special HIV/AIDS writing assignment for December 1 : essay, poem, book report, brochure, poster or research report.
• Distribute red ribbons and information about HIV/AIDS at an exhibit set up in the school.
• Decorate trees, school buildings, classrooms, lamp posts, or fences with red ribbons.
• Prepare a current events bulletin board for students to fill with newspaper articles about HIV/AIDS.

For additional information visit:
www.thebody.com
www.cdc.gov/hiv

“Your Actions Make A Difference, Collectively We Make An Impact On Our World!”

Be well,
Delayna