Gratitude, grateful, thankfulness, appreciative, well pleased; these words have tremendous power. To embody any one of these expressions of gratitude gives you the ability to receive more abundance in your life. Thanksgiving gives us a chance to slow down and be in those moments of gratitude before we get bombarded for the Christmas holiday. Because an attitude of gratitude has more benefits than I can cover in this short article. Here are a few:
Gratitude boosts confidence
You increase your ability to approach all of life’s circumstances from a place of strength and self-assurance the more you focus on what you are grateful for. Rather than worrying about things that are out of your control, you can harness your skills to meet challenges head-on and you free up your mind to support you with innovative ideas and solutions which empower your success. Turn your focus on what you can do to influence your circumstances.
Want better health and well-being?
Studies show that an attitude of gratitude helps reduce depression and anxiety, lowers blood pressure, improves sleep and longevity. Gratitude also supports us in developing deeper relationships, greater optimism, improved decision making, and overall happiness. It has also been shown to strengthen resilience. Find some quiet time to reduce your stress and reflect on your good health.
Elevate your success
Let’s face it, most people do not want to be around or engage with people who are constantly negative. These types of people can suck the energy right out of the room as well as destroy effective team dynamics. An attitude of gratitude helps to increase creativity. People tend to notice more those who live life from a place of gratitude. This can help you with networking, collaboration and achieving career goals. And, as a leader, it is essential to appreciate the people who surround you. Consider what is working in your life and career and build on those aspects.
I have been aware of gratitude for most of my adult life, thanks to my mother. Like many, I have had the experience of being focused on what was lacking in my life, thinking more of what I wanted instead of what I have. And 20-20 hindsight reveals that I have been very fortunate in many respects. It took a big growth experience for me to recognize just how blessed I have been over the years.
Making it work for the holidays
Given the interesting human dynamics that can occur at Thanksgiving gatherings, particularly with family, focusing more on what you are grateful for, even about the person pushing your buttons, can help you to disengage from the drama. And I guarantee you, if you can engage in gratitude throughout the day and resist the urge to get into that same old argument, you will increase your ability to better digest that big meal!
Now, the key to enjoying the benefits of gratitude is SO SIMPLE! Are you ready? All you have to do is…….. practice it…, practice gratitude! It can be done in as little as 3 minutes. Take 3 minutes to reflect on what you are grateful for in your life and about friends, family members, and co-workers. Do this consistently, not just at Thanksgiving, and you will notice a transformation occurring. I have included a short video to support you in your practice, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrgAoLsEuL4.
How do you see your life and work? I invite you to See It Thrive™! I would love to hear about your experience at www.suekenfield.com. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
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