The attitude of gratitude. The spirit of wonder and curiosity.

When my oldest daughter, Bree, was born, the iPhone didn't exist. Today because of it, she's a social media influencer. She has turned it into a business and is impacting thousands of women worldwide with her Facebook group.

Do we stop and appreciate the wonder of our world? When I began my career in radio, I was able to sell an AM/FM combo. Today, some companies' sellers can represent hundreds of radio stations across the country and digital resources that didn't exist when I started—all to bring client dreams of growth to life and building businesses.

The attitude of gratitude is a powerful and inspiring way to live. This is not only for us, but the attitude of gratitude is infectious, and others can be inspired. There's plenty of research to support this. Here are three main benefits that I've pulled from various sources: Harvard, Psychology Today and the University of Utah:

Improves Physical and Mental Health

Gratitude has been shown to enhance both physical and mental health. For instance, studies indicate that practicing gratitude can reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone), improve cardiac functioning and lower blood pressure. It also helps regulate dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters that boost mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. These effects contribute to overall well-being, including better sleep quality and reduced pain perception.

Enhances Longevity and Emotional Resilience

Research from the Nurses' Health Study revealed that individuals with higher levels of gratitude had a 9% lower risk of mortality from various causes, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Gratitude fosters emotional resilience by helping individuals cope better with stress, setbacks and negative experiences. This resilience is linked to improved relationships, greater optimism and a more balanced perspective on life.

Boosts Happiness and Social Connections

Gratitude is strongly associated with increased happiness and life satisfaction. Expressing gratitude strengthens social bonds by encouraging acts of kindness, forgiveness and emotional support. It creates a "chain reaction" of positivity, where grateful individuals inspire others to act kindly as well. Additionally, gratitude fosters self-esteem and reduces feelings of guilt or shame, contributing to a more positive outlook.

And putting a simple yet profound exclamation point on all the research is a line from a book I'm reading, "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" by John Mark Comer:

"It is impossible to be anxious and grateful at the same time."

Yes, with all its complexity and change, this industry can be overwhelming. When you feel the tension rise and the anxiety and the pressure building, consider pausing for a moment and opening your mind to the wonders of our world. Let the attitude of gratitude override your stress and see what a difference you can make in yourself and others with that attitude adjustment.

The beauty and simplicity of that quote from John Mark Comer is that you have the choice. Today, will you choose gratitude or anxiety? Maybe something you can slow down enough to ponder this weekend…

Think Big! Make Big Things Happen!

Jeff Schmidt is the SVP of Professional Development. You can reach him at Jeff.Schmidt@rab.com. You can all so connect with him on X and LinkedIn.