I know what you’re thinking. How can practicing being grateful not be flaky, fluffy, or fuzzy? It sounds like something a feel-gooder, cheeseball will encourage us to do right after waving incense sticks around, and right before selling you their homemade gratitude memory bowl for $89. (This probably exists.)

Ok, so I sound cynical. It’s true. I may be way too cynical to be a therapist. But I use my cynicism for good! I believe that. My cynicism is actually skepticism, which means I want to know why something works and not just adopt it because it sounds helpful. And, of course, being more grateful SOUNDS helpful! And, it turns out that it IS actually pretty darn helpful.