Positive Psychology Column for 7-20-03 By Tom Muha, Ph.D. Grateful To Be Alive One of the most powerful happiness tools among of all of the 24 character traits is gratitude, a process in which you amplify your appreciation of the good events and terrific people in your past.  This is a magnificent method for creating the most moving moments that are possible between human beings. To bring a great feeling of happiness into your life, think of people who have been important to you, but whom you have never truly shown your appreciation.  Write out a testimonial to give to each one of those people that will put forth the proper thanks they deserve. I have several people to whom I owe a debt of gratitude.  I’ll illustrate the power for generating joy that this exercise holds by expressing my appreciation to them now.  Last September I went in for a routine physical that turned out not to be so routine.  My heart rate was unusually low, and I ended up having five bypasses put into my failing heart. To my family physician, Dr. Rich Colgan: Thank you for your patience and persistence.  When I was in denial that my low pulse could be a serious symptom of heart disease, you took the time to have a “heart to heart” talk with me.  As the chief of family medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center, I’m sure you had many pressing issues that were important for you to address.  But you instinctively knew that I was a patient who needed a few minutes of your undivided attention in order to be able to face the fact that something might be terribly wrong. In spite of the fact that managed care has made the practice of family medicine difficult, you have remained committed to your oath to help people have the healthy life they deserve.  You are an unsung hero who has helped thousands of families. To Dr. Elizabeth Kingsley, my cardiologist: Thank you for showing courage in the face of my fear.  When I was laying on your cath lab table, I became very frightened when you showed me the horrendous blockages in my heart.  But what was in your heart was positive energy.  Beyond your wisdom about what needed to be done, you knew how to share your faith that the problems I was experiencing could be solved.  The look on your face and the tone of your voice revealed that beneath your sweet smile is a person of great strength. I needed strength in my moment of crisis, and your ability to impart courage will always be remembered and appreciated.  You are a gifted healer. To Dr. Lisa Fronc, my friend and colleague: After my surgery I was feeling weak and facing an uncertain future.  When I was wondering about being able to resume my practice, you were my biggest fan.  Your words on encouragement meant the world to me as I began the work of rebuilding a professional career. As incredible as you are as a pediatrician who is dearly loved by her patients, you are an even more remarkable friend.  Your unfailing support has helped me tremendously to get back to my being able to help others.  You are one of the most caring people on the face of the earth. To David and Lois Zeyher: You hardly knew us when you learned about my open heart surgery, but you immediately made your beautiful home available for us to move into so I could have a comfortable place to recover. That act of kindness made a difficult winter bearable. While you are modest about your magnanimous act, I know that we are not the first people to whom you have been lifesavers during a time of crisis. Your generosity and warm hearts make you exceptional people. To Tom Marquardt, Executive Editor of The Capital: Thank you for your support in helping to bring the important information from the new science of success and satisfaction into our community.  Your commitment to improving the lives of your readers makes you the type of visionary leader that our society needs in today’s world. To my readers: Thanks to the dozens of people who have called or emailed to tell me about the benefits they’ve gotten from using what they’ve learned in this column.  And now I hope that the examples of gratitude that I have provided will inspire you to take a few minutes to touch the lives of people who have meant a great deal to you.   Tom Muha is a psychologist in Annapolis. He welcomes your comments and questions. To contact him call (443) 454-7274 or email him at tom@achievinghappiness.com.