Official Review: The Gratitude Effect

rumik · Post by **rumik** » 27 Dec 2019, 15:33

I agree that gratitude is extremely important to having a happy, satisfying life. I do wonder what the reason is for the challenge being exactly 66 days long! Thanks for the great review.

kdstrack · Post by **kdstrack** » 27 Dec 2019, 17:49

rumik wrote: ↑27 Dec 2019, 15:33 I agree that gratitude is extremely important to having a happy, satisfying life. I do wonder what the reason is for the challenge being exactly 66 days long! Thanks for the great review.

The 66-Day Challenge is unique, and the author explains the motive for choosing the number. Hope you enjoy the challenge!! Thanks for commenting.

MsH2k · Post by **MsH2k** » 02 Jan 2020, 01:24

I like that this book has practical steps to help the reader practice what they have learned. Once we become aware of the little things to be thankful for, our outlook truly changes. Thank your for a great review.

Post by **Alice Heritage** » 02 Jan 2020, 04:49

As we are constantly bombarded with negativity and negative mindsets can be hard to overcome, gratitude is a powerful antidote. I try to write down a few things I am grateful for every day, especially when something good happens. I'm obviously grateful when I overcome the bad things, which I usually do ... but being grateful for those is a little too Pollyanna-ish for my taste. I'll check this book out, thanks!

Gabriel Merêncio · Post by **Gabriel Merêncio** » 02 Jan 2020, 12:27

While I appreciate personal stories, I tend to prefer more objective, evidence-based self-help books. I'm also unsure about the religious tone. Still, I can see how the book might help some people. Thanks for the review!

kdstrack · Post by **kdstrack** » 02 Jan 2020, 17:30

Tomah wrote: ↑02 Jan 2020, 12:27 While I appreciate personal stories, I tend to prefer more objective, evidence-based self-help books. I'm also unsure about the religious tone. Still, I can see how the book might help some people. Thanks for the review!

I agree that many people will find this book helpful. Thanks for commenting!

kdstrack · Post by **kdstrack** » 02 Jan 2020, 17:36

ButterscotchCherrie wrote: ↑02 Jan 2020, 04:49 As we are constantly bombarded with negativity and negative mindsets can be hard to overcome, gratitude is a powerful antidote. I try to write down a few things I am grateful for every day, especially when something good happens. I'm obviously grateful when I overcome the bad things, which I usually do ... but being grateful for those is a little too Pollyanna-ish for my taste. I'll check this book out, thanks!

I hope this book will be able to give you some new ideas. Thanks for your comments.

kdstrack · Post by **kdstrack** » 02 Jan 2020, 17:42

MsH2k wrote: ↑02 Jan 2020, 01:24 I like that this book has practical steps to help the reader practice what they have learned. Once we become aware of the little things to be thankful for, our outlook truly changes. Thank your for a great review.

That also caught my attention also. I appreciate your thoughtful comments. Thanks.

nooregano · Post by **nooregano** » 03 Jan 2020, 08:21

Graitutude is important, I believe, but not as important as accepting all your emotions and letting them flow - not forcing gratitude at the expense of a real negative emotion! What do you think, personally?

Your review, kdstrack, was very thorough and well-written. I really enjoyed reading it. Thank you!

kdstrack · Post by **kdstrack** » 03 Jan 2020, 08:54

nooregano wrote: ↑03 Jan 2020, 08:21 Graitutude is important, I believe, but not as important as accepting all your emotions and letting them flow - not forcing gratitude at the expense of a real negative emotion! What do you think, personally?

Your review, kdstrack, was very thorough and well-written. I really enjoyed reading it. Thank you!

I was struck by this concept, also. The author explains his position and changed my thinking! The author explains the effect of negative emotions on our attitude. He doesn't present this as "forcing" gratitude. Every emotion and every circumstance presents us with an opportunity. This was one change in thinking that I really appreciated. I hope you will agree with the author's reasoning! Thanks for your thoughtful comment. It is appreciated.

tsic · Post by **tsic** » 04 Jan 2020, 03:58

derialist wrote: ↑20 Dec 2019, 09:06 I enjoyed reading the review it's very informative and I'll be looking to read the book. However, I disagree with some of the ideas the book puts forward particularly the suggestion of being grateful for the negative things that happen in our lives. Not saying it's impossible but it's one of those things that is easier said than done. It's human nature to feel bad about the negative stuff that happens to us, it's in our natural programming and I think that developing a perspective that is contrary to our natural programming would require a lot of willpower which I think defeats the purpose of trying to achieve gratitude in our lives. We should allow ourselves to feel bad about the negative stuff without having to feel the need to change our overall attitude towards it.

This is the more reason we should read the book to learn more on how we can be grateful for the negative things. The review makes it clear that Gratitude does not come naturally. It is a mindset that must be taught and learned. I like it that the author of the book has actually had a personal experience on what he has written about. This means that the book is not just motivational but is to a large extent inspirational.

kdstrack · Post by **kdstrack** » 04 Jan 2020, 11:48

tsic wrote: ↑04 Jan 2020, 03:58
derialist wrote: ↑20 Dec 2019, 09:06 I enjoyed reading the review it's very informative and I'll be looking to read the book. However, I disagree with some of the ideas the book puts forward particularly the suggestion of being grateful for the negative things that happen in our lives. Not saying it's impossible but it's one of those things that is easier said than done. It's human nature to feel bad about the negative stuff that happens to us, it's in our natural programming and I think that developing a perspective that is contrary to our natural programming would require a lot of willpower which I think defeats the purpose of trying to achieve gratitude in our lives. We should allow ourselves to feel bad about the negative stuff without having to feel the need to change our overall attitude towards it.
This is the more reason we should read the book to learn more on how we can be grateful for the negative things. The review makes it clear that Gratitude does not come naturally. It is a mindset that must be taught and learned. I like it that the author of the book has actually had a personal experience on what he has written about. This means that the book is not just motivational but is to a large extent inspirational.

Those aspects impressed me also. The author's experience, even with the negative events in his life, can be seen in his practical suggestions for developing gratitude. I truly enjoyed this book and hope you will too. Thanks, tsic, for your motivating and thoughtful comments!

tsic · Post by **tsic** » 04 Jan 2020, 14:53

You're most welcome kd

Post by **kandscreeley** » 05 Jan 2020, 18:33

I've read this very book. He presents good advice and a compelling argument for being grateful. I haven't quite mastered this in my life yet. Therefore, perhaps I should read it again. Thanks so much for the review.

kdstrack · Post by **kdstrack** » 05 Jan 2020, 18:47

kandscreeley wrote: ↑05 Jan 2020, 18:33 I've read this very book. He presents good advice and a compelling argument for being grateful. I haven't quite mastered this in my life yet. Therefore, perhaps I should read it again. Thanks so much for the review.

So true! I enjoyed his explanations of both sides of the coin. Another read of this compelling book sounds like a good idea. Thanks!