Giving thanks makes you happier, according to Harvard Medical School and countless other studies. Gratitude has a way of putting our perspective in the best place possible, plain and simple.
Let's be honest, it's easy in our world to focus on what we don't have. We often fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others and consequently losing the empowerment that gratitude grants us.
I have learned in my journey of over a decade of recovery that I don't have to be grateful for all the circumstances I face, some of the circumstances we face really suck, but the more I keep my focus on what I am truly grateful for the more the empowering reality of gratitude strengthens me to see clearly and overcome anything life throws at me.
Imagine starting each day like this.
What if we woke up and intentionally set our mind towards what we were thankful for?
What if we all took 10 minutes a day to tell someone what we were grateful for?
Then took 10 minutes a day to ask someone else what they were grateful for?
Then took 10 minutes a day to do something that would cause someone else to be grateful?
Sounds like a lofty goal, right? You may think, I don't have time for that....
Do you know that the average person spends well over 2 hours a day on social media?
The average person also spends over 3 hours on their phone a day.
What do you think the ripple effect on our communities would be if we shaved off 20% of our social media and phone time and invested that time in cultivating gratitude?
What if we even replaced the 10 minutes with 5 minutes?
I am no stranger to obligations. I have two kids under the age of four and my own business, and of course the list of random things that life throws at me. I've realized that all of that becomes very difficult to manage when I fix my eyes on what I don't have, but when I fix my eyes on what I do have I am able to face it joyfully.
The simple and intentional approach to being grateful and loving people has profound impact on individuals lives and our communities at large, and little old you and I have the ability to shape and change our sphere of influence in powerful ways.
What are you grateful for?
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