The scene around Sookmyung Women’s University in May is full of carnations and students writing gratitude cards to their parents and professors. Events like writing thank-you letters to professors are also promoted at Queen Sunheon Square. Every May, I write cards to people I want to thank, but interestingly I found out that writing the cards not only gave the receiver the happiness but also made me happy, too. Why did I feel this way?
Well, first, we might look to scientific proof that supports this phenomenon. In the field of positive psychology, many studies regarding the relation between thanking and happiness have shown positive relationship. One research by Psychologists Robert Emmons and Michael McCullough at the University of California Davis found that spending 1-2 minutes a day on thankful gratitudes affected people’s lives. Expressions of thanks make people feel positive about their own lives, more vigorous, bring happiness, and decrease depression scores.
Wouldn’t it be great if everyone habitually showed feelings of gratitude every day? Nonetheless, it is said, “Well begun is half done.” Since May has come, how about starting to show gratitude by writing thank-you cards to your parents and professors? As you write down the things you feel thankful for, you might be surprised to learn how many grateful things you have not noticed during your everyday life. Moreover, this action could bring happiness not only the ones you write to, but also to yourself. In May, find things to be thankful for and receive happiness.
Yoo Kim Juhee / Editor-in-Chief
smt_jkim@sm.ac.kr
