Flourishing in the Third Third of Life
As I sat down to write this newsletter, it seemed natural that I would talk about gratitude. After all, it’s that time of year! But why wouldn’t it occur to me to write about gratitude in March or June? Isn’t gratitude something that should characterize our lives 12 months of the year?
If you are a Christian, the clear answer is “Yes!” Several times in the Psalms we are exhorted to “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 92 even tells us that “It is good to give thanks to the Lord…” Why might it be “good” to be grateful? Keep reading.
In the New Testament we see that thankfulness is one of the key characteristics of God’s people. For instance, in Colossians 1:12 the Apostle Paul talks about joyfully giving thanks to God because he has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints. That’s something I am thankful for every day. Later in the Colossians he wrote, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:16 & 17) “Whatever” we do is pretty comprehensive. We are to live with thankfulness.
Interestingly, research shows that gratitude is one of the keys to flourishing in the third third of life. A few years ago, the Harvard Health Newsletter had an article entitled “Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier.” It reported on the research of Dr. Robert Emmons, one of the world’s leading researchers on gratitude and the co-editor of The Psychology of Gratitude. Emmons’ research found that grateful people “were more optimistic and felt better about their lives. Surprisingly, they also exercised more and had fewer visits to physicians than whose who focused on sources of aggravation.”
Dr. Mark Roberts summarizes the results of several studies done on the impact of gratitude on older adults this way. “Grateful older adults in the Netherlands experienced less loneliness; in China less fear of death; in the United States, studies found that gratitude towards God helps older adults deal with stressful situations… Being thankful also helped third third folk have better attitudes toward aging and live an integrated and joyful life.” If you are interested you can read more on this in an article by Mark entitled, “Gratitude and Third Third Flourishing: New Studies and Striking Implications.” Click HERE to read the article.
Something that has helped me become a more grateful person is to keep a “gratitude journal.” I write down three things each morning in a notebook that I am grateful for. I have been doing it for several years and it has been a great blessing in my life.
What are you doing to become a more grateful person? It will bless God, others and yourself.
Grateful,
Steve McLean, Pastoral Fellow – Discipleship