by Kerry Taylor
I just returned from a long overdue trip seeing my younger brother in Texas. I loved every minute of it despite the northeast chill and the Umass loss to Texas A &M. It wasn’t a perfect trip, but I was very grateful to be there with him and some family.
Thanksgiving this year was a little different, my parents were away and my little champ Declan was sick. So, in the spirit of everything we have been through these past few years, we stayed home and relaxed together watching Encanto and Cars on repeat. It stunk that he was sick, but I was extremely grateful for that time spent as well. It wasn’t perfect, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
You may see where I’m going here, and it’s not just because of it being the holiday season or Thanksgiving. It’s more of something I see in the world we live in more so than anytime before, and it’s unfortunate. Given everything this country, world has gone through in recent years and continues to go through, it’s been a lot easier for people to look at and thrive off of the negativity that one may spew. But, I think if we all take a step back and look at things with different optics we will see we all have many things in our lives to be grateful for. I’m not saying things are perfect by any means, but there are many reasons to be grateful.
A practice that I have put into place for myself is starting an “Attitude of Gratitude” journal, thanks to a very good friend and coach. In this journal I list daily things that I am grateful for. I start by asking myself a few questions:
What did I get to do that I’m grateful for?
What did someone else do that I’m grateful for?
What’s around me that I’m grateful for?
What has happened that I’m grateful for?
These questions start to help me look at my day and the world around me differently. Being grateful and practicing an attitude of gratitude will help you and others in so many ways.
Decrease the negativity within and around you
Help with your mental health
Increase and improve your energy
Allow you to become more resilient
Will make you be more present in your life
Help you build stronger relationships
Get you to relax and possibly sleep better and deeper
Being grateful is a choice for all of us. I hope these few words has sparked one of you to be a little bit more actionable on how to express your gratitude to someone in your own way or get you to sit for a moment and take notice of the things in your world that you have to be grateful for! Being grateful can take a bad day and turn it into a great one for you and/or for someone else. Until next time, continue to live a life 1 degree above the rest.
