Let's Talk Gratitude

As Thanksgiving weekend and festivities wrap, gratitude and thankfulness have been at the forefront of my mind. There is so much in my life and in this world to be appreciative of.

It’s easy to talk about the things that we’re grateful for sitting around a table of delicious food surrounded by our closest family and friends, but practicing gratitude should be an intentional and ongoing practice year-round, not just on the third Thursday of November.

There are things that we’re all thankful for; family, friends, health, etc. Those are the go-tos, and for good reason - our lives revolve around the people closest to us, and human connection and relationships are one of the most important and impactful layers of our lives.

I challenge you, however, to find ways to be grateful for the things that don’t immediately come to mind, the things that maybe we usually see as annoyances.

Getting stuck in traffic can mean an extra 15 minutes to listen to the new Taylor Swift album. THANK YOU!

Starbucks being out of your go-to breakfast item can mean the opportunity to try something new and broaden your horizons. THANK YOU!

A challenging project at work can mean a chance to work out your mental muscles and develop new skills and competencies. THANK YOU!

If we can find a way to view delays, annoyances, and pet peeves through the lens of gratitude instead of the lens of frustration, even in little ways, our days, out outlook, and our mindset will slowly shift into a brighter, more optimistic, more positive space. Framing things that immediately strike us as negative in a positive way can make a major impact on the way we view our hours, weeks, and life.

This may seem silly or disingenuous at first, but thought patterns become habit just like anything else in our lives. What at first is a conscious decision to have a specific thought, in time, becomes our default.

Optimism is contagious. Positivity is contagious. Gratitude is contagious. Making changes in your own self-talk and mindset can have exponential effects on the self-talk and mindset of those around you.

This week, while giving thanks is still on all of our minds, try to intentionally practice and develop habits of gratitude that can last not only through the holidays but year-round.

Thank you for being here, and thank you for being you! I am endlessly grateful for you and wish you the best holiday season.