This Thursday what are you going to give thanks for? Will you have a grateful heart in all the good things that exist in your life?
Thanksgiving is a time for us to reflect on the things that we have. Once we have a broader perspective, we are able to see the full range of our blessings, both seen and unseen. Challenge each other at the dinner table to say 2 things that you are thankful for.
Happiness is rooted in gratitude. This Thursday is a great time to start planting the seeds of Thanksgiving into our inner circle, team, and family!
Here is a quick story on how I learned the power of thanksgiving!
In 2012, I traveled approximately 130,000 miles. I was away all week from my wife and kids. My boys went through their senior years with me on the road. I was trying to make plays in my career, while also trying to stay connected with my boys and their big senior events, but I felt like I was missing out. Did I make it to all of them? No, but I did make it to most of them! During those many nights on the road I established this simple routine: I would stand up and thank God for all the blessings that I had in my life.
This practice made me more grateful, made me feel better, and made it easier for me to manage stress. This gave me a mindset that was healthier, more productive, and, frankly, happier.
Being thankful is a powerful weapon. Dr. Caroline Leaf, a neuroscientist, says that gratitude is the healthiest of all emotions. That certainly makes me want to be thankful!
The Greater Good Science Center has research showing that gratitude is good for a person’s body, mind, and relationships. I understand being grateful in the midst of a problem, failure, abuse, or a pandemic is tough. In order to Find Your Winning Edge, being thankful is something you should try because the rewards are two-fold.
THE POWER OF BEING THANKFUL!
The Greater Good for Science Center states that gratitude helps people:
1. Socially:
- More forgiving
- More outgoing
- Feel less lonely and isolated
- More helpful, generous, and compassionate
- More willingly supported by others
2. Physically:
- Stronger immune systems
- Less bothered by aches and pains
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower risk of heart attacks
- Take better care of their health
- Sleep longer and better
3. Psychologically:
- Higher levels of positive emotions
- More alert, alive, and awake
- More joy and pleasure
- More optimism and happiness
- More resilient to stress
What are some steps you can take to become grateful?
If you are practicing these steps as part of your routine, then the steps will become a habit and habits will determine your future.
- Wake up every morning and write down what you are thankful for.
- When you become stressed and anxious - write down what you are thankful for.
- Before you go to bed, write down what you are thankful for.
Let me know if you implement these steps into your daily routine and if they have a positive effect on your life.
Use this season of Thanksgiving to stop and smell the roses in your life that have been a blessing to you, to your company, your team, and your family.
