During this holiday season, your personal effectiveness can generate genuine happiness through gratitude. Have your thoughts been centered around all the things you have chosen to do? Have you been feeling overwhelmed with the many things you feel you must do? According to what assumptions do you believe you must live your life? Thinking deeper about what is driving your life choices, can generate a more authentic you and a happier spirit. Expressing gratitude (gratefulness, with grace, graciousness) or acknowledging genuine appreciation for what you have and what is given to you, connects you to the bigger picture of your life. Choosing to make this connection to other people or situations guides you to generate more positive emotions. According to research done by Dr. Martin Seligman, at the University of Pennsylvania, expressing gratitude and sharing acts as kindness, support a person's well-being. Not only does gratitude improve personal well-being, relationships flourish and a more optimistic spirit of relishing life's moments emerges and a happier spirit is possible. What motivates you to finding greater satisfaction in your life? What do you appreciate about what you have in your life? You too, can begin expressing gratitude and finding happiness and a spirit that thrives.