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Month: November 2020
Is “I’ve got a lot of problems with you people!” something you say out loud (or mutter under your breath!) at every family gathering? Even this is something to be grateful for! Stay with me…
There’s a reason that the made-up holiday Festivus from Seinfeld is still so popular, more than 20 years on. We all have a lot of problems with people. Especially people we have to spend large amounts of time with. Isn’t that what makes all those ridiculously awful reality shows so exciting? It’s the drama (real and/or invented by producers) that arises after people are together for a while.
It’s not socially acceptable (nor is it advised) to go berserk at work, so more often than not, we end up losing it with our families. You know, those safe spaces where we don’t have to be polite.
But before you go airing your list of grievances, let me suggest another option. You could create a list of gratitude instead.
Being with people is a chance to practice listening and empathy and understanding another viewpoint (regardless of how wrong you think they are!). It’s a masterclass in patience!
You don’t have to agree with everyone you’re related to, but you can celebrate the differences that make every single person unique!
#PositiveAction Thank someone in your family. Every day, our families create opportunities for us to practice gratitude through the things they do and say. Whether you had a good laugh or had a chance to practice patience, express your gratitude for it.
Image by ashish choudhary from Pixabay
You know how sometimes things are easy and everything is awesome? And then there’s 2020. There’s been a lot of challenges and difficulties this year (to put it mildly). It’s easy to celebrate the smooth sailing. It takes more work to be thankful for the difficulties.
There are tiny annoyances like spilling coffee on yourself right before heading out the door. There are bigger obstacles like a seemingly impossible problem that is your responsibility to solve at work. And there are the major issues of loss and grief we all experience over the course of a lifetime.
Whether tiny or large, it’s a chance to be grateful. We are shaped into the people we need to be through our challenges more so than our successes.
When I was suffering with burnout and depression, being grateful for the experience was the last thing on my mind. I was only focused on surviving it. Now, however, I greatly appreciate the experience.
I know that only something as dramatic as that situation could have forced me to assess what I was doing and what direction I was heading. If it weren’t for the difficulty of that experience, it’s unlikely I would have dared to make a change. I would have kept muddling through, being bored and unfulfilled, for who knows how long!
We all have challenges like that, big and small, that give us a chance to practice gratitude. It’s not always easy, but when I remind myself that difficulties are as much a part of the career journey as awesomeness, it’s a lot easier to be thankful for the challenges.
#PositiveAction What challenge or obstacle are you facing right now? Give thanks for the chance to learn something new and the opportunity try a different approach!
Image by Mike Foster from Pixabay
Thanksgiving is my absolute, all-time, #1 favorite holiday of the year! Yes I love the food, family, and football… but it’s also about gratitude. It’s intentional time spent reflecting on the people, opportunities, and events that have been meaningful for me. And like everyone, my daily life can get hectic, so I don’t always say all the thank-yous I should.
November is my chance to do better.
Throughout the month, I make it a point to express gratitude in different ways. I write notes of appreciation (paper and digital), do random acts of kindness, spread good cheer and tell people thanks.
Gratitude Fact: it’s one of the most fun things you can do that is both legal and free!
In my experience, most people feel underappreciated at work. Showing appreciation and expressing gratitude doesn't have to be uncommon. We can change it starting right now, today!
If you’re looking for some gratitude inspiration, this is the place to be all month long! We’ll be sharing ideas, spreading good cheer, and having fun. It’s time for a Gratitude Adjustment!
#PositiveAction Count how many times you say thank you today. Did you hit double digits? Bonus: Try to add one more thank you tomorrow than you did today! Can you keep the streak going all month long?!?
Thanks for reading (See how easy it is to add into everything you do?!?).