Gratitude and Energy Level

Researchers at The University of California, Davis, compared the results of keeping a daily gratitude journal with a control group and then measured emotional, physical, and social well being over a three week time frame. The subjects, all who suffered from a neuromuscular, chronic disease, reported:

1. Significantly higher levels of positive emotions in the gratitude group.
2. No difference in negative emotions.
3. Significantly higher positive effects for life appraisal, such as connection to others, life as a whole, and the upcoming day
4. MORE HOURS OF SLEEP! ALMOST ONE FULL HOUR OF SLEEP for those in the gratitude group.
5. No more exercise and no effect for pain was reported.

#4 is amazing! Just think what your energy level could be with almost one more hour of sleep per night!!

My Clergy Peer Group Works!

"I felt drained by the demands" was the prevailing reason pastors gave for leaving a position in local church ministry. (58%) The next reason was a feeling of isolation and lonliness. (51%) The study was reported in the 2005 book, Pastors in Transition: Why Clergy Leave Local Church Ministry. No real surprizes here.

After serving in a ministry setting outside a local parish for several years, I realized how isolated and disconnected I was in my previous years on a large church staff. After returning to a local church staff in late '03, I convened two or three different groups of clergy, but one in particular has stayed together. It's now made up of four male clergy who, like myself, find a monthly lunch together followed by prayer time a welcome sabbath. We have been meeting now for over four years, with some changes in the group members. For the third year, we are planning a retreat. This year's content on the Enneagram is a continuation of last year's study. It is led by a Spiritual Director of the Cenacle Retreat House.

A wise professor at Duke Divinity School (John Westerhoff) frequently advised us that if we hope to lead others in the spiritual life in healthy ways, a pastor needs both a spiritual director and a therapist. That is, we would need both if we plan to do good to others by first doing no harm. I have often found that wisdom beneficial. I would add to that guidance: "Find a peer group where you can be yourself, and where you can pray for each other."

"You show me the path of life..." (Psalm 16:11)