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by Amanda Southall Deborah Norville has every reason to be thankful. She’s beautiful, smart, has a successful career and a wonderful family. According to her new book, Thank You Power (Thomas Nelson), Norville’s success is a result of her ability to be thankful during the hard times. The concept(s) of her book are ambitious, but the principle is refreshingly simple. Gratitude, Norville writes, is the key to living a full, joyful life. “I believe thankfulness is the [trigger] to starting the domino effect of happiness in your life,” she says. Norville explains in her book that living a lifestyle of gratitude is the key to less stress, improved relationships, better problem-solving skills, resiliency and ultimately greater happiness. The principle doesn’t just sound good; Norville’s gratitude theory is backed by behavioural and psychological research. “They’ve quantified that counting your blessings and focusing on the positives in your life not only is a good thing for you, it makes you more optimistic, less pessimistic, less cluttered, more apt to do things for people; other people will think better of you and you’ll exercise on average an hour and a half more per week,” Norville says. Plus, adds Norville, it’s a concept that works whether encountering the stress of daily life, or in the midst of a personal crisis. “We all have lives that are messy,” says Norville. “That’s when you need ‘Thank You Power’ the most.” Harnessing Thank You Power is an active process that encourages us to recognize that all of our experiences, skills and interactions — everything we do — gives life meaning in good times, but especially during difficult times. Even as a child, Norville lived a life marked by thankfulness. She grew up one of three siblings and a child of divorce. Norville lived with her mother, whose chronic struggle with rheumatoid arthritis often left her and her sisters much of the responsibility of running their home. “My mom called us her arms and legs,” states Norville. By age 10, Norville could cook a roast, vacuum, iron and grocery shop. “I’ve always known in my own life that being thankful and looking for blessings rather than focusing on my hassles seemed to make my life go better,” explains Norville. “Thank You Power was not something I thought was going to be a book, Thank You Power was something I’d always employed in my own life.” Norville committed her life to Jesus Christ at age 15, and says her ability to be thankful regardless of the circumstances stems from her faith in God. “I hope this book will resonate with believers and nonbelievers,” she says. “[Thankfulness] is the essence of Christianity.” Emmy award-winning journalist Deborah
Norville Norville
says she is empowered by the examples of thankfulness in the Bible,
particularly when Jesus says to give thanks for the death of Lazarus. “It
was a blessing in that it was one of the first dramatic opportunities
Jesus had to work His miracles here on earth,” she
explains. Over 2,000 years ago Jesus taught the importance of thankfulness
by exhibiting gratitude in good times and in bad. “I’m
just putting a modern spin on it,” explains Norville. Her career went national when she was just 28 and hired to anchor NBC News at Sunrise. Today, Norville is an award-winning journalist, including two Emmy awards. She has reported for 48 Hours, CBS Evening News, NBC’s Today Show and MSNBC’s Deborah Norville Tonight. Currently, Norville hosts Inside Edition and recently marked a decade with the newsmagazine. Norville’s experience on the Today Show went from dream to disaster. Hired as an unofficial third host, NBC essentially replaced Jane Pauley, (a 13-year veteran of the show) with Norville. TV viewers and the press were upset, angered and vocal over the change; the shows ratings plummeted and ultimately NBC pinned the blame on Norville. Her experience as co-host of the Today Show inspired Norville to write her first book, Back on Track: How to Straighten Out Your Life When it Throws You a Curve. After her son Niki was born in 1991, Norville opted not to return to the Today Show and was replaced by Katie Couric. Her role as host of Inside Edition, though, has proven to be a perfect fit. Not only did the show’s ratings jump 15 per cent the week she joined the show, the schedule allows Norville time with her husband of 20 years, (Karl Wellner) and their three children. “The best part is, most nights I’m home with my kids for supper and bedtime. Most mornings, I’m in the car taking them to school.” Motherhood also inspired Norville to write two children’s books, I Don’t Want to Sleep Tonight and I Can Fly! Norville has achieved the delicate balance between maintaining a successful career and raising a family. It’s a balance that hinges on the idea that with every “thank you” comes tangible power. Norville carries a notebook in her purse where she writes three things she is thankful for every day. When she’s having trouble remembering the power of a thankful heart, Norville references this journal. “Remembering those things deflects my attention from the momentary goofiness that brings me down,” she says. Thank You Power works, Norville says, because people who are depressed, overwhelmed and burdened are usually focused on what they don’t have. Even small, seemingly insignificant blessings can make a difference. By focusing on God’s blessings, you will see your life in a new light and garner the strength to make positive changes. Photo courtesy Thomas Nelson Publishers
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