For more than two and 1/2 years I’ve been encouraging folks to get grateful in their everyday lives. That timeline is directly connected to the season that has reshaped my belief systems, my hopes, dreams and heartaches.
I’m so committed to gratitude that it has impacted every interaction in my personal, professional and emotional life!
Gratitude, including the actions that turn gratitude into gracious living is far more powerful than many of us understand.
By our human nature, and by our individualistic American nature, we rarely reward grateful, thankful people.
What if we were to the voice of gratitude in our family? We might change the heart of our marriages, children and legacy of our united family.
What if we were to be the voice of reason in our workplace? We might actually move the needle of anger, bigotry and abuse found in the corporate headlines today.
What if what we had, was seen as a blessing, rather than comparing it and whining over what we don’t have? We might change the trajectory of our future. We might actually be at peace with our soul. And when we are at peace, we make far better decisions and attract healthy, peace-filled relationships.
It’s a pretty simple process.
Start your day with writing down three things you are grateful for at that moment.
Tell others the magic words, “thank you.” Tell your spouse “thank you” for the smallest of things. Say “thank you” when your kids do something that may seem like something they should naturally do, but saying “thank you” makes it an action that they will learn to carry into their future.
Say “thank you” to your servers at restaurants, to strangers that hold the door for you.
This isn’t the softer side of life. This is the most powerful side of life.
Step up today, and find a reason to be grateful and gracious.
You will never regret being known as a grateful, thankful person!
—AChuck
