Gratitude Increases Happiness, Even During Divorce

by Houston Divorce Attorney Sam M. “Trey” Yates, III

One very important segment of my law practice involves helping clients navigate the choppy waters of divorce. As one might expect, this is typically a very difficult time when my clients often feel overwhelmed, anxious, flawed, and dejected.

As their attorney, I listen intently to each of them as they pour their hearts out to me. The pain they feel is very real and I readily acknowledge it, but I don’t leave them there. Many years in this role have taught me a lot about the divorce process, and not all of it has to do with divorce law. What I have come to know is that divorce, with all its difficulty and pain, is an opportunity for both individuals to begin again—to reboot their lives, so to speak. I offer them encouragement, a place of calm and security, and hope for future happiness.

Over the years, I have come to realize that women going through divorce often benefit from a wide range of expert advice and counsel throughout their divorce process. I created the The Guide to Good Divorce℠  program to be a source of encouragement, hope, strength, and community for divorcing women as they transition out of marriage and into the next phase of their lives.

We share many practical tools in our seminars to help women handle the stress and terror that come with divorce. We also offer ways to shift perspective from fear to gratitude. From my own experience, as well as observing the experience of others, I have learned that gratitude is vital to our inner peace and overall happiness. That is why cultivating an attitude of gratitude is a unique hallmark of our program and an important segment of each seminar.

In a new book Thanks!: How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier, Dr. Robert A. Emmons conducted several studies on the psychology of gratitude and found that being thankful can increase one’s happiness. In one study, people who took the time to write down five things they were grateful for in their past week felt 25 percent happier than those who focused on challenges or neutral events over the same time period. The grateful group was also more optimistic about the future, felt better about themselves, and even exercised more per week than the others. In another study, Emmons found participants who expressed gratitude also were more satisfied with their lives overall and slept better.

I encourage my clients to not only practice gratitude, but also seek out a community of supporters. For my women clients, the comfort and power available from a community of like-minded women experiencing similar challenges offers peace that comes from shared solutions. Divorce is difficult, but it also can be a transformative experience.

Join other women facing divorce and discover the keys to unlocking your best life at this information-packed, educational workshop. The cost is only $49.

2014 Seminar Dates

(Seminars are 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.)

May 3 & September 27

Houstonian Hotel, Club and Spa

111 North Post Oak Lane

Houston, TX 77024

July 26

Unity of Houston

2929 Unity Drive

Houston, TX 77057

For details or to register, please visit The Guide to Good Divorce℠  website or call 713.932.7177..