Giving Thanks

I have been reminded of the importance of being thankful for where we are and what we have.

If you've been on your own personal development journey for
any amount of time you've undoubtedly met with some
challenges along the way. Challenges aren't a bad thing.
They can certainly be difficult, but provided we are willing
to accept it as part of the process, they can bring forth
some pretty awesome opportunities from which to grow and
become better for having experienced them.

Again, it's not about things being easy, it's about working
through whatever you happen to be facing, and ultimately
accepting that you will emerge better and more prepared as a
result of having overcome or worked through whatever given
adversities you've had to deal with.

Gratitude -- a source of fuel to move you forward during the
difficult times...

I found the following definition of gratitude: "a feeling of
thankfulness and appreciation."

While that definition is a good start, I think gratitude is
so much more than that. Particularly when we begin to
explore all the different  ways it can serve us.

Something magical happens when you and I take the time to
recount all the things we have to be thankful for in our
lives. The past, present, and even the hopes we have for the
future.

First, a sense of gratitude allows us to reconnect with our
past achievements. This can serve as a powerful reminder
that in-spite of whatever doubts we may have about our
abilities in the present moment, we are capable of reaching
whatever destination we desire for ourselves. That is to say
that we can change our circumstances and lot in life to a
more desirable one.

The proof is found in the very fact that in the past we have
done so, and as such we are more than capable of doing so
again. Looking back on, and reconnecting with positive
experiences and past achievements as you can see is a
particularly powerful way to go about providing fuel for
your current goals and dreams.

If you will accept the ideas above to be true then the
question inevitably becomes what is the best way to go about
expressing gratitude in your day to day life. The answer, to
put it bluntly is to express it however it most feels right
to you!

Since I don't know what that is in your unique situation
I'll have to settle on showing you some of the ways I go
about it on a daily basis. Before I do so, please keep in
mind what I often say, "personal development is a hands on
project", which is to say that other people's ideas are
great, but you should be looking for ways to adapt and make
whatever ideas you want to try your own.

Don't assume that something doesn't work because it isn't a
fit for you. While at the same time, don't assume something
is wrong with you because a particular idea isn't right for
you. It's not about right or wrong. It's about adapting what
works into your life, and giving yourself permission to kick
to the curb whatever doesn't happen to resonate with you.

Now that I've gotten that rather long disclaimer out of the
way, as promised here are some of the ideas I use to allow
gratitude to work in my life.

1. Upon waking up I begin running through my mind various
things I'm thankful for. Inevitably one thing, person, or
event will lead to another. This is a very laid back
experience, all the while I'm trying to remain in the
moment, but not forcing it. If I find my mind moving onto
other thoughts or ideas I'll gently bring myself back to
this simple exercise.

When I do this, almost immediately I can see my current
state perk up a bit -- and I take on a more positive
outlook. I find it a simple, yet highly effective way to
start my day off on the right foot. I believe you will as
well!

2. Throughout the day, I like to write down and record what
I call my "daily wins". It's worth pointing out that these
aren't always monumental achievements. In fact, to the
outside observer many of the accomplishments which get
written down might appear down right mundane.

The point of the exercise mentioned above is to remind
myself of something I discovered a long time ago. That
being, the idea that what it takes to meet with success in
virtually any endeavor requires a lot of little
accomplishments along the way.

When I'm speaking to groups I'll often say that the path to
"success" is paved with more than its share of boring
moments. Meaning that contrary to popular opinion, when one
looks back on a worthwhile accomplishment, there's rarely
one particular event with which they can credit being
totally responsible for having allowed them to reach the
pinnacle of success.

Rather, if we're honest with ourselves we would likely have
to agree that more often then not it's a matter of doing
those tasks, day in and day out which were required of us.
The journey, you see, takes many forms. Certainly at times
things are fast paced and exciting, but at others
persistence and stick-to-itness are required.

If you're not already tracking your day to day achievements
I'd strongly encourage you to get started. The benefits of
doing so are many, not the least of which is that you'll
have a trail to look back and read over when you find
yourself feeling as though you're not quite as plugged into
your dream as you wish you were. You'll have proof positive
that you're making progress right in front of you. Then, at
the end of each day as you look through your list of "wins"
you can take a moment to be grateful.

3. Take a walk and literally recite out loud to yourself all
the things, people, and experiences for which you have to be
grateful for. I have to give credit to my colleague, friend,
and fellow speaker & author Jon Gordon (www.jongordon.com)
for this idea.

While I had actually been doing this for a long time prior
to first hearing Jon mention it, he deserves credit for
putting the name "gratitude walk" to it, and in turn helping
to validate in my mind that it was a worthwhile thing to do
(and that no matter what my neighbors who happened to see me
talking to myself might think, I wasn't actually nuts for
doing so. ha ha :-)).

It sounds like a simple idea, but I would challenge you to
give it a try. If you will do so, I believe that in
relatively short order you'll find it to be a welcome
addition to your routine.

As I've illustrated above, expressing gratitude is a
powerful thing. It can literally change your state from one
in which you may be feeling doubt towards one of hope, and a
sense of literally being filled with encouragement. It can
put you in a mode to accept the good that surrounds all of
us, while acting as a sort of shield from the part of our
minds that wants to seek out and look for the negatives in
life. Give it a a few of the ideas above a try. If you have
other ideas which work for you I would appreciate it if you
would share them!

Igniting the Fire Within!!!
Fraser