Thankfulness
What is “thankfulness” and what is its value to you and me? It is not just a state of mind. Thankfulness requires practice as well. Let me share my story and the role of being “thankful.”
At age 50, I moved from a highly paid position to a self-employed life coach consultant (from six-figure salary to eat what you kill). I had no clients, a non-compete, two kids in college and one close but a very supportive wife (Jeanne). Prayer and lots of phone calls were the orders of the day.
I chose from the beginning to be thankful for the opportunity regardless of the outcome (operative word chose). Were there challenges, failures and dry compensation periods? Yes, yes, yes! Jeanne, my support team, prayer and my default setting to be thankful brought resolve. Joy and peace prevailed in both the successful and the low periods. I believe that God directed my path to come alongside hundreds of individuals and organizations in the 25 years since the transition.
So what about being thankful? It means recognizing that some outside person or source has given you a benefit. I give thanks first to God for revealing my life mission and to those who have supported me in my journey. Its value to you: make the concept a reality by committing to being thankful (a default setting).
What can you do to perpetuate being thankful?
- Practice thankfulness: verbally thank people in your daily journey (Starbucks barista, colleague, spouse)
- Through prayer or meditation, think of those things or people for which you are thankful
- Analyze those thoughts and words where you have been complaining and see what “thankful thoughts or words” were, should I say kindly, overlooked
As a spiritual guy in the bible once drafted a formula that brings peace of mind: “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Our country has recognized the importance of being thankful with a holiday. Here is some history:
