Gratitude. Hmmm. It’s such a mystic and elusive word, isn’t it? Maybe, maybe not.
It is, however, something that is easier said, or written, than done. I can only really speak for myself and in my experience it is much easier to say what I am grateful for by means of an oral or written list than actually living my life in gratitude. What does that really look like? Does it actually look like anything or is more of a feeling?
Let me step back for a moment and look at the other side. It easy to complain, judge, and be disappointed when things do not turn out the way I plan or want. It sure doesn’t feel good, though. It is also easy to focus on the things I don’t have and become jealous and envious of others. That sure doesn’t foster gratitude. Why would I want to live that way? I don’t. Then why do I continue to do so? Is it simply a bad habit?
I could do a deep dive on this and still come up a bit confused so I will keep my rambling short. I do think there is more than one simple answer. Habits are definitely part of the discussion. Verbalizing or writing gratitude lists help form the habit of looking for the positives in our life rather than focusing on the negatives. The positives help us practice good behavior, i.e. good habits, while focusing on the negative perpetuate the bad habits.
I write this the day after Father’s Day on which I had a great day with my family. It was a perfectly enjoyable day. Today is June 20th which is the birthday of one of my lifelong friends that I have been romping around with since the diaper days. I say “one of” because I have quite a few from those days still in my life. If that is not something to be grateful for I don’t know what is.
Looking back just a few days ago I was experiencing intense bouts of anxiety around the sale of Go-Go Babyz. The anxiety came when I found myself in the middle of a deal and all of a sudden two other interested parties came out of the shadows. One in particular had been discussing their interest with another colleague for over a year. They asked that I talk to this other party as a favor. The ink was all but dried on the other deal and now this? I obliged and it went nowhere but generated anxiety for a few days. Of course there was much more but I am sure you get the point.
Looking back I could have avoided the level of anxiety I experienced by focusing on the fact that I had multiple prospects. That is a great position to be in an, again, something to be grateful for.
The point of all this rambling is that in order to change our habits, we have to think differently. Sometimes we need to act our way into thinking differently. Little acts are what will help change the thinking that will form the habits that create positive change in our behavior and life. That is why I believe in a creating gratitude list because writing them down or saying them out loud is a little act that can lead to bigger changes.
Talk Soon,
Kevin W @LEAP272
Owner-Operator
You have to leap if you want to live
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