In Attitudes of Gratitude, M. J. Ryan teaches readers how to unlock the fullness of their hearts and lives through the expression of gratitude. “Gratitude helps us to return to our natural state of joyfulness,” she writes, “where we notice what’s right instead of what’s wrong. It makes us feel complete, that we have everything we need, at least in this moment.” In her introduction to this 10th anniversary edition, Ryan recounts current research that bolsters her original thinking—people who practice gratitude on a daily basis are, by and large, happier, healthier, and more effective in the world. She also shares with readers brand new, top 10 gratitude practices, which readers of the first edition and people she’s taught and counseled over the years have provided to her. The concept of this book is very simple and very profound: “Gratitude creates happiness.” It’s a fact of life (and science as it turns out). Plants create carbon dioxide and gratitude creates happiness...

We all want the things that we’re sure will make us happy—money, success, independence, love. But when we finally get them, we can find to our surprise that we are the same miserable, moody, or just neutral people we always were. Why is that? Is it us? Is our ability to be happy genetically programmed in us like the color of our eyes?

Luckily not. You can teach yourself to be happy and enjoy every day, and M. J. Ryan, bestselling author of The Power of Patience and Attitudes of Gratitude, shows you how. In her international coaching practice, M. J. Ryan has shown hundreds of clients how to find and really feel the joy in their lives. She gives them tools to unearth what stands in their way and revolutionize the way they experience life. Now it’s your turn for a Happiness Makeover.

Ryan’s own desire to be happier first led her to study what is known about happiness from brain science, psychology, and the wisdom traditions of the world. The Happiness Makeover draws on this wide-ranging knowledge and presents a plan that will help you:

• Clear away happiness hindrances like worry, fear, envy, and grudges

• Discover happiness boosters like flow, meaningful work, challenge, and gratitude

• Literally rewire your brain to experience contentment—even joy

• Learn to think optimistically (it really is possible!)

• Find daily ways to truly enjoy, even relish, the moments of your life

Full of moving stories, inspiring quotations, and the wisdom of one who has been there before, The Happiness Makeover offers the means to find elusive happiness at last....