The simple act of gratitude can change everything!
I began my gratitude journey several years ago. A friend on Facebook had challenged others to share a gratitude post each day in the month of November. I was all in and I looked forward to it each year!
A few years ago I attended a Bikini Bootcamp and, during our morning walks, we were asked to contemplate what we were grateful for in that moment. Some mornings we were asked to be grateful for something small – like coffee or avocados. Other mornings we were asked to think about something bigger in our lives – a second chance at life after a scary diagnosis, forgiveness of someone special, the love of family and friends. Our trainer talked about how being grateful and making gratefulness a daily practice could really shift things for us. He told us that you cannot be anxious in the presence of gratefulness and that depression cannot co-exists with gratefulness. Obviously, those comments greatly simplify the complicated nature of those mental health issues, but the point is very clear. It makes sense! Being grateful changes your perspective and really makes you focus on the good and positive in your day and in your life.
At the beginning of this pandemic, I made a decision to share a gratefulness post each day on Facebook and to encourage others to join me in the practice. I knew this was going to be a tough time for all of us and for me. I felt that if I made that commitment, I would also be forced to find something positive each day – even on the darkest days. And guess what? I did it for several months and it worked! People shared right alongside me. It was beautiful. And it brightened my day to see their posts. People even commented about how they appreciated my positivity. I would send someone an email and in their reply they would tell me how they loved my gratefulness posts on Facebook. Just this past weekend, I was attending a graveside service of someone dear to me and his wife told me that my posts had been uplifting to her….when she was down she knew she could take a look at my page to lift her spirits.
I recently had the opportunity to spend a week with my 15 year old niece – just us! And due to this pandemic, there wasn’t much we could do. We stayed in most every day and night and we talked and talked and talked. Those times are some of the most special times I have had with her in the past few years. She left her phone in her room and our conversations were uninterrupted and unfiltered. I tried to pass on any wisdom I thought could be helpful but mostly I listened. A couple of nights before she left, I told her about my gratefulness commitment and asked her if she would join me. Each night, we shared three things we were grateful for that day. Sometimes, she wanted to share more than 3 things. I asked her to keep up the habit and suggested she share with her friends or her mom. I told her I would be texting from time to time so she and I could continue. What a treat! I learn what is important to her. I learn when she makes a 99 on a math test! Way to go kiddo! And I am able to show her what is important to me. I am able to share this beautiful habit that can change her life.
I have one more story I want to share on this topic. I have a favorite podcast, My Favorite Murder. I love love love it! I mentioned in my bio that I am a true crime lover and I wasn’t kidding. As you can imagine, some of the topics that are introduced are pretty dark. The two women who host the podcast are committed to ending the show with something good – something they are thankful for from the previous week. They call it their “F*cking Hooray”. I recently introduced this to a dear friend. She and I, between us, have dealt with serious illness, loss of loved ones, job loss, and consequently depression over the past few years. We often share the dark stuff together. We are both so thankful to have each other and to have a safe place to go where someone really does get it….a place where we can share all of the yuck! She and I are also incredibly positive and upbeat people. We both committed to share our “F*cking Hooray” at the end of our conversations. We refuse to let life keep us down and we will never give up! We are committed to applauding the good stuff in our lives and the baby steps we make each day. Nothing is too small to count as a “F*cking Hooray!”
I keep a gratefulness journal each day. I still share my gratefulness posts on Facebook on the regular. I now celebrate the small stuff by sharing my “F*cking Hooray” with my dear friend. And I am building a habit with my niece. To say that gratefulness is a part of my everyday life is an understatement. I have built this habit over the years and look for new ways to incorporate it daily.
I do not say any of this to elevate myself or my importance in anyone’s life. I share this because being grateful makes a difference for you and for others. It is contagious! Have you ever noticed how, when you are with someone who is negative, it brings you down and even makes you more negative? I have had times in my life when I was unhappy and I know I may have brought others down with my complaints. I don’t want to be that person! I want to be someone who leaves people feeling better – feeling lighter. I want to make people smile and believe in themselves. I want to be an example of grace and love. I want to lead with gratitude.
If you are with a friend and have the best time ever at dinner – great conversation or tons of laughter, tell them how thankful you are! If you see someone extend kindness to a stranger, tell them you appreciate them. If you notice how your cousin handles your grandmother with love and tenderness, tell her you love the way she loves. If you have a friend who checks in on you when you have a big moment or a tough day ahead, be sure to say thank you!
Whatever version works for you, try it out! It will change your life! On the hardest days, it is most important. Find the good! Focus on the good! And be the good for someone else!
I am grateful today for the platform I have in this blog. I am grateful I am following my passion and writing again. I am grateful for all of you who read and compliment this blog. I am grateful for the person who is the inspiration for the name of this blog – my Dot Dot.
This month, I challenge you to start your gratefulness journey! You won’t regret it! Please drop me a line to share how is changes your life!
