Rainn Wilson makes us grateful for being number two
"Grateful people go to the doctor less, and live longer. It's absolutely a super power," Wilson told a full house at HIMSS21.
SoulPancake cofounders Shabnam Mogharabi and Rainn Wilson spoke at HIMSS21 on Thursday.
Photo: Susan Morse/Healthcare Finance News
LAS VEGAS - Rainn Wilson said he's always thought about life's big questions and spoken aloud on dates about death and the meaning of life.
He said it didn't win him many second dates, but the man best known for his comedy role as Dwight Schrute on the NBC sitcom The Office cofounded SoulPancake, an organization that promotes positive psychology as the basis for wellbeing.
Gratitude especially positively impacts every area of a person's life, he said.
"Grateful people go to the doctor less, and live longer," Wilson said. "It's absolutely a super power."
Wilson, the keynote speaker at HIMSS21 on Thursday morning, came on stage in a checked shirt and plain jacket, sporting a salt and pepper beard, with his humor intact.
Distraction is the order of the day, said Wilson and co-speaker and SoulPancake cofounder Shabnam Mogharabi.
TV, Wilson said, is "Kardashian butts and credit scores."
We're like the dog from Up, distracted at every turn. "Squirrel!" said Mogharabi.
Positive Psychology, originated by Dr. Martin Seligman in 1998, is more than trying to be happy. In fact, searching for happiness generally does not work.
Instead, it's joy that makes us happy, through service, gratitude, being vulnerable and knowing that it's OK not to be OK. This means we don't always have to look on the bright side.
"Intentionally choosing joy is an act of rebellion," Mogharabi said.
Those working in healthcare, as well as others, have experienced real grief and trauma this past year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Get there little by little, day by day, Wilson said. Months later, finding you'll be finding yourself in state of gratitude rather than desperation.
Wilson and Mogharabi had audience members write a letter of gratitude to someone in their lives. Two people read their letters aloud.
SoulPancake, which Wilson and Mogharabi founded, has been acquired by Participant Media.
Wilson earned three Emmy nominations for his portrayal of Dwight, an eccentric paper salesman with big dreams of being No. 2.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: susan.morse@himssmedia.com
HIMSS21 Coverage
An inside look at the innovation, education, technology, networking and key events at the HIMSS21 Global Conference & Exhibition in Las Vegas.
