I love Thanksgiving! As you may already know, I am a big holiday person. But Thanksgiving is such a cozy-yummy-get together and hang out time. And what a fantastic idea for a holiday! Do you suppose the early settlers that established the sharing of a meal with their new neighbors setting aside time to give thanks knew how powerful it was to do so?I believe they did. Let's face it, life was difficult in the new world. Resources were scarce ,the environment rough and raw, there were new and very different people and customs to adjust to. Yet, they apparently knew the value of focusing on the positives, embracing the challenges and having an attitude of gratitude. Doing so surely lifted their spirits, recharged them and connected them to each other. Today, practicing gratitude is scientifically proven to be a primary tool for happiness and coping. Feeling grateful crushes depression and complaining very effectively. While it is somewhat cliche to casually say "count your blessings "or "look for the silver lining", those comments can even be irritating when we are very stressed or faced with difficult, complex challenges. But the truth is: it works. We do have the power to choose our focus and attitude regardless of the external stressors in our lives. That is not to say it is easy. However, when things are stressful it is the best time to do so.
Recent events for me have included many more time commitments and family obligations in addition to an already full schedule. I have found in the moments that I can remain positive and thankful for the good parts of my days, particularly the wonderful people and resources I have in my life, my mood is brighter and I feel strong and capable. I am very fortunate to be in a position to help and care for others and make a positive impact. Conversely, in times I let exhaustion seep in and focus only on the endless to do list it is easy to quickly become negative, feel downtrodden and overwhelmed. Being aware of this helps tremendously as I realize I have the choice of my perspectives. Living from choice is always a positive and powerful place to be.
This week is a great time to reflect and be thankful for the positive people, things and experiences you have in your life and also to be grateful for the opportunities you have to care, share and make a positve impact. If you incorporate this attitude into you life moving forward you will soon find yourself happier and less stressed as a natural side effect. Consider adopting this attitude of gratitude beyond this week, you will be thankful you did.
Tips:
- Keep a gratitude journal
- Routinely write thank you notes to people that have had a positive impact in your week
- Take a moment to notice the beauty in nature or music, see something with fresh eyes
- Appreciate yourself; for your strength and capability to meet the challenges you face
- Notice small niceties, like someones smile or holding a door for you
- Take stock of the big (employment, spouse) and small (a beautiful pair of shoes, a great meal),things in your life at least weekly if not daily.
- In every stressed and difficult moment discipline yourself to find the diamonds of goodness in the darkness. How will this bring knowledge, good or just relief in the long run? Dig deep, it is there.
- Make time for the things you love then relish those moments and appreciate the experience all the more.
- Create a web page; get the family involved to share successes, post thank you notes and celebrate the goodness in life.
Please post some of your own ideas and results if you try some of mine
I will be grateful to hear from you!
Have a wonderful Holiday!
Recently I did a consult with a man I will call Joe. He has been mildly interested in coaching in the past due to feeling somewhat dissatisfied in his career and the general direction of his life. He contacted me with renewed interest after losing his job. This time of difficulty and transition has provided motivation to reevaluate and seize the opportunity to make some changes. Times like these tend to make us take a step back and look at where we are and where we want to be, ideal times for coaching by he way. During the consult it became apparent that like many of us he is unsure what he would really like to do. At this mid point in his life he is wondering what his calling and purpose is, what will provide meaning and fulfillment in addition to success. Joe thought he was on a path to stability but in retrospect knows it was a path he chose because he "should" because of family influence and expectations and although he was committed, he struggled in the career to find success or fulfilment.