Did You Say Thank You?
It's a sad realization but the truth of the matter is we don't say thank you enough. I don't necessarily mean saying thank you to others, yes that is one form of gratitude, but giving thanks for all that we are blessed with on a daily basis that we often forget about.
I think we can both agree that most of what we see on social media and television is more on the "negative side." It's not often that we are exposed to the great things that are happening in the world, the good deeds that are being done, or the acts of kindness that happen between one another. The sad part about this is the majority of us now function similar to what we hear and see. Subconsciously many of us focus on the negative, on what we don't have, and on what's not working. Too often we forget to take a step back and truly say thank you and show gratitude for what we do have; our family, our relationships, our experiences, and much more!
I encourage you to take part in the practice below just to help you re-shift your prospective. Here is a re-vamped version of an exercise I learned from the great Lewis Howes.
Tell a friend (or say it out loud if you're alone) exactly what you do every morning using the phrase "I have to." For example: I have to wake-up and brush my teeth, I have to make my bed, I have to get my kids ready for school, I have to drive my children to school., etc.
Now I want you to repeat the exact same thing but this time use the words "I choose to." For example: I choose to wake-up and brush my teeth, etc.
Lastly, repeat it for a final time using the words, "I am blessed to."
Try to do this exercise with another person, but again, if you're alone just say it out loud.It's surprising how one small exercise can change how you feel and shift your glasses from charcoal gray to a rosy color.
"Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity." William Arthur Ward