I was watching The Today Show last week (actually, I was doing getting dressed and listening to the show from another room). I heard Ann Curry interviewing two people about the science of happiness; Dr. Ian Smith and Gretchen Rubin. I had to stop what I was doing so I could go watch as her guests shared some interesting scientific statistics and some simple ideas that can make us 'happy'.

Why is this on "Thank you Thursday"? Because one of the things Dr. Ian Smith, author of "Happy, Simple Steps to Get the Most Out Of Life" said the act of writing a thank you note - not an email or text but a hand written thank you note - makes a big difference in making YOU happy!

When was the last time you wrote a thank you note that wasn't actually an obligatory one - such as a thank you note for a wedding gift?

I had to think about that one for myself. Who did I appreciate that I could send a thank you note to? I was kind of shocked that I didnt' have a list of people that immediately came to mind. Then I began to think about the people who I have interacted with recently who have helped me in ways that I was truly thankful for but hadn't told them.

My husband and I recently relocated from one state to another. The moving company that we used made our transition so smooth. I told them all thank you while they were packing the contents of our house and the when a new crew unloaded everything at our new house, I thanked them as well. But....I thought 'what if I actually sent a 'thank you letter' to the company listing each person who had not only 'done their job well' but had made this experience such a positive one? So.....I did! And YES....it made me happy!

Suddenly, I had a whole list of people who I wanted to thank. I'm now on a mission to send a thank you not each week.

I plan on being abundantly happy...thank you very much. ♥