Wristband "Thank You God, I Am Grateful, ™" Encourages Gratefulness and Has Become a Symbol of Gratitude for Ohio State Buckeye Football Players

Thanksgiving Day Story: Be Happier, Be Grateful Inspirational wristband, Thank You God, I Am Grateful™ . Ohio State Football players and others around the country are wearing Thank You God, I am Grateful™ bracelets. The designer of the wristband is encouraging others to be grateful. She believes gratefulness promotes peace in your heart and in the world. Visit www.thankyoubracelets.com to purchase the silicone wristband. A portion of the proceeds will benefit charities dedicated to helping children, including Providence House and Missionaries of Charity.

Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) October 8, 2008 --- (http://www.thankyoubracelets.com) Being grateful on Thanksgiving Day is a part of our national heritage thanks to Sarah Hale. Today, Toni Garbo, the designer of Thank You God, I Am Grateful ™ bracelets, is encouraging gratefulness with a wristband, a reminder to be grateful to God every day, not just during the holiday season.

"When I look at the wristband, I am reminded to focus on the good in my life, not the bad," said Toni Garbo, the designer of the Thank You God, I Am Grateful™ bracelets.

With the hope of promoting the spirit of gratefulness, last year Garbo purchased one thousand gray and black bracelets with the words: Thank You God, I Am Grateful and spread the message of gratefulness by giving them to family, friends and coworkers. She also established the website www.thankyoubracelets.com. Her bracelets have been gaining momentum and have become a symbol of gratitude for believers, including members of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team.

"I was so excited to learn that the players wanted to wear them," said Garbo. "The simple act of wearing The Thank You God, I Am Grateful ™ bracelet not only helps the individual, it sends the message to be grateful."

Garbo's motive: to stay positive and promote peace in hearts and in the world. "It really is that simple," said Garbo. "Despite all the challenges we face, we still have so much to be grateful for, and I wanted to create something that would not only inspire me, but encourage others to embrace gratitude."

According to experts, that attitude will actually make you happier. A study conducted by Robert Emmons, professor at the University of California and author of the book, "Thanks!" (2007) found that people who reflected on their blessings are happier, as much as 25% happier. Emmon's study showed that "gratitude led to more positive emotional states and inspired people to be more helpful to others." In the book, "Thanks!" it states, "learning how to experience gratitude involves being grateful as an attitude, not as a reaction when good things occur."

"It takes effort to be grateful," said Garbo. "And because we are human, we need to work at it and remind ourselves to put gratefulness in action."

David Steindl-Rast, a Benedictine Monk and author of "Gratefulness, The Heart of Prayer", said it is important to have reminders to be thankful. In a recent talk, he said, "Even if it's just tying a red thread around one's car keys as a reminder to be thankful for the ease of transportation."

Garbo agrees. She said, "You do not need to wear the bracelet to practice gratefulness. My wish is to get others to embrace the state of being grateful. It will change lives and promote peace in our hearts and in the world."

The bracelets can be purchased at www.thankyoubracelets.com. The price is two for $3.00 USD. Garbo's hope is that believers keep one for themself and give the other to a friend, advancing the gratefulness movement. A portion of the proceeds from Thank You God, I am Thankful™ bracelets will benefit charities dedicated to helping children including Providence House and Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Theresa.

Gratefulness quotes:

"Like the proud mother who is thrilled to receive a wilted bouquet of dandelions form her child, so God celebrates our feeble expressions of gratitude," Richard Foster.

"If the only prayer you ever said was, 'Thank you,' that would be enough," Meister Eckhart.

Toni Garbo, Cleveland, Ohio

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