Some years ago, Japanese scientist Dr. Masaru Emoto discovered that crystals formed in frozen water revealed changes when specific thoughts were directed toward them. He found that water from clear springs and water that had been exposed to loving words formed brilliant, complex, and colorful snowflake crystals. Alternatively, water from polluted sources or that had been exposed to negative thoughts formed incomplete crystals with asymmetrical patterns and dull colors.

Using high speed photography, Emoto recorded the formation of frozen crystals from water that had been exposed to different words, thoughts and feelings. When he typed the words “love and gratitude” on a piece of paper and wrapped it around a bottle of water, the crystals that resulted were exquisite and perfectly formed. The same results were obtained when he wrapped the bottles with the words “thank you;” regardless of the language used, the phrase “thank you” always produced perfectly formed crystals. Alternatively, the words “I hate you” produced deformed, incomplete, unattractive crystals.

Since the earth and our bodies are predominantly made up of water, Emoto theorized that we could positively impact the earth and our personal health by changing our thoughts, words, and feelings. Further experiments proved that even polluted water could produce lovely crystals after being subjected to positive words and thoughts.

Perhaps Thanksgiving has put me in a contemplative mood this year, but lately I have been thinking a lot about words, feelings, thoughts, and actions. And of course, about gratitude. Four years ago, despite the fact that I had a successful career and a lovely house, I was seriously ill and severely unhappy with my life. In about five weeks I will celebrate my anniversary of “chucking it all.” On December 31, 2006, I walked away from everything – my job, my house, everything I had worked for – to pursue a life that would bring me joy. I was determined to become a travel writer and photographer, the only things I had ever really wanted to do in my life.

Today, I live in a 600 square foot, one bedroom apartment. I drive a modest car and have no desire for fancy clothes or jewelry. Although I no longer have the big house and the big salary, I have my health – and my sanity – back. During the past two years I have traveled to 17 countries and 12 states in the U.S. I write travel articles and provide photography for two online travel sites (UpTake.com and Trazzler.com) and have been published in a variety of other publications. One of my photographs was recently chosen as the cover shot for Sarasota Downtown and Beyond Magazine. I wake up every morning, excited to greet another day and anxious to begin writing. I love my life; I have never before known such happiness.

And I suppose this is the long way around explaining the connection between my personal experience and Dr. Emoto’s work. When I finally understood what was truly “of value” in life (friends, family, helping others, caring about the environment, being the best person I can be, etc.) and began doing what I love, my life became joyful. My words, feelings, and thoughts created my reality. If words, thoughts and feelings can have this profound an effect on my life, it’s not much of a stretch to believe they can have the same effect on water.

My New Year’s resolution this past January was: “Every day is either a good day or a great day,” and with a couple of notable exceptions, I have kept my resolution. Now, as our national day of gratitude approaches, I am rededicating myself to certain principles. I will try to give thanks for the food I receive before putting a bite in my mouth. I will try to greet every person I meet with a smile. I will continue to try to live in non-judgment and loving kindness toward all people. I will try to help others wherever and whenever I can. I have so much to be grateful for. I just want to share it.

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