Official Review: The Gratitude Effect

[kandscreeley]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Gratitude Effect" by Richard J. Cavaness.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Do you live your life in gratitude? Or do you focus on the negative circumstances that surround you? Richard Cavaness wants to make sure that we are living each day with an attitude of thankfulness.

The Gratitude Effect has 15 short chapters teaching us how to form a new habit of gratitude. At the end of the chapter, he gives you the key principle to think about along with questions to consider and practical ways to apply the lesson. One of the lessons discusses writing handwritten thank you notes to one person on each day of the year. Mr. Cavaness also cites scientific studies that prove gratefulness boosts your health and can even lower your risk of heart attacks.

Lately, I've been feeling pretty ungrateful, choosing to focus on my overwhelming circumstances instead of my abundance of blessings. So, I felt that this book came at an appropriate time in my life. It has started me on a journey to focus on all that I have instead of all that I lack.

However, the book did get a bit repetitive in spots. The author seems to reiterate the benefits gratitude can have on your health in multiple chapters. This might just be to drive the point home, but it felt a bit much to me.

In addition, the book starts out with two and a half pages of positive reviews for the book. I felt that the author should have let the book speak for itself instead of inundating the reader with accolades from other readers. It seemed to be a bit too self-focused for a book on thankfulness. After the conclusion, there were also several pages on booking the author to come speak. I felt this would be better saved for the author's website as, again, it seems too self-centered for a book of this sort.

On a positive note, I believe that this book would be appropriate for a wide audience. Mr. Cavaness does discuss a higher power and being thankful that you were created. Nevertheless, he leaves room for multiple religions to be in view here. While the author seems to be coming from a Christian viewpoint, he doesn't leave out those that have differing beliefs and views of God.

I am grateful that I was able to review this book and start on my journey to a more positive life. For this reason, I rate The Gratitude Effect 3 out of 4 stars. It's due to the repetitive nature of the book as well as the focus on the author at the beginning and end that this did not earn full marks. Still, I recommend it to those who find themselves ungrateful or who are looking to improve their lives.

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The Gratitude Effect
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Like kandscreeley's review? Post a comment saying so!

[Riszell]

Being thankful does bring positive vibes not just to the grateful person but also to the people around him/her, especially to those he/she is thankful for. I also practice the habit of giving thank you notes. I'm an old-fashioned person so I also appreciate receiving and reading handwritten notes as well.

[Samantha Simoneau]

Lately, I've been feeling pretty ungrateful, choosing to focus on my overwhelming circumstances instead of my abundance of blessings. So, I felt that this book came at an appropriate time in my life. It has started me on a journey to focus on all that I have instead of all that I lack.

This is how I feel recently as well. Thanks for the recommendation - I'll check this one out!

[kandscreeley]

Being thankful does bring positive vibes not just to the grateful person but also to the people around him/her, especially to those he/she is thankful for. I also practice the habit of giving thank you notes. I'm an old-fashioned person so I also appreciate receiving and reading handwritten notes as well.

Thanks for commenting! I have been making more of an effort to send thank you notes. Especially handwritten ones!

[kandscreeley]

Lately, I've been feeling pretty ungrateful, choosing to focus on my overwhelming circumstances instead of my abundance of blessings. So, I felt that this book came at an appropriate time in my life. It has started me on a journey to focus on all that I have instead of all that I lack.

This is how I feel recently as well. Thanks for the recommendation - I'll check this one out!

This book certainly isn't a fix all, but it did have some good advice that I'm trying hard to follow. Thanks for your comment! I am always appreciative when someone takes the time to read and comment. Good luck in finding ways to be more grateful!

[bookowlie]

The book sounds inspiring and I am glad you found some good advice to apply in your own life. Unfortunately, I am not suprised that the book contains some repetition. While the subject matter seems interesting, it seems more suitable for a magazine article rather than an entire book. Thanks for a, well-written, insightful review as always.

[stacie k]

In addition, the book starts out with two and a half pages of positive reviews for the book. I felt that the author should have let the book speak for itself instead of inundating the reader with accolades from other readers. It seemed to be a bit too self-focused for a book on thankfulness. After the conclusion, there were also several pages on booking the author to come speak. I felt this would be better saved for the author's website as, again, it seems too self-centered for a book of this sort.

I agree with your insight here... it's a bit ironic to be self-focused in a book of this nature. It's a bit of a detraction in my eyes. Even so, I think I could benefit from the content and grow in an attitude of gratitude. Thanks for the insightful review!

[kandscreeley]

The book sounds inspiring and I am glad you found some good advice to apply in your own life. Unfortunately, I am not suprised that the book contains some repetition. While the subject matter seems interesting, it seems more suitable for a magazine article rather than an entire book. Thanks for a, well-written, insightful review as always.

Now that I think about it, you're completely right. It would definitely make a GREAT magazine article. Thanks for commenting.

[Helen_Combe]

Great review. A nice twist on the self-help ’be positive’ to change it to ’be grateful’. It sounds less aggressive.

[gen_g]

This sounds like an introspective and inspiring read - thanks for the review!

[revna01]

I'm glad you were able to find this book and gain a positive perspective from it. I agree on the excessive presence of accolades detracting from the feel. I hope things get better for you, personally. Thanks for a wonderful review!

[Jackie Holycross]

This sounds like a winner. I especially like that it has concrete tasks like the thank you card idea.

[Afajo2]

I am grateful that I was able to review this book and start on my journey to a more positive life.

[Cristina Chifane]

I don't know why it is so difficult at times to be content with what we have. I am trying really hard to be more positive and thankful for what I have. At first I thought the gratitude effect of the title refers to the impact of our gratitude on others, but I guess it's more about its effect on ourselves. I used to think if I was content with what I had, I automatically stopped wishing for more. I've learnt they are not mutually exclusive, actually. Thanks for a great review!

[kfwilson6]

I don't know why it is so difficult at times to be content with what we have. I am trying really hard to be more positive and thankful for what I have. At first I thought the gratitude effect of the title refers to the impact of our gratitude on others, but I guess it's more about its effect on ourselves. I used to think if I was content with what I had, I automatically stopped wishing for more. I've learnt they are not mutually exclusive, actually. Thanks for a great review!

I recently read a book called The Kindness Challenge and the author focuses on how the reader should be kind to others. But she also explains how her studies have shown the impact one's kindness has on other's. Even when they have no clue you are making any special effort, your efforts have a positive impact on those around you.

I like books that have a topic similar to this one. I frequently find that they are redundant but the redundancy is a good reminder to me that the pointis important, so don't forget it!