What better time to start the process of #joysetting for 2019 than Thanksgiving. Why? Because I truly believe that the first step and foundation to any improvement plan is Gratitude. Gratitude for what you have, where you are, and the current path you are on. Thanksgiving is the construct that opens many minds towards gratitude. If you are reading this it is a relatively safe assumption that:
- You woke under a roof this morning. The last time a global survey was attempted – by the United Nations in 2005 – an estimated 100 million people were homeless worldwide. As many as 1.6 billion people lacked adequate housing (Habitat, 2015)
- You are able to read. There are an estimated 775 million people in the world who are illiterate.
- You are seeking ways to improve yourself. No clear stats on this but it sadly seems to be a rarity.
- You have access to the internet. Only 55% of the world’s population have this incredible tool for connection and learning.
Although I am not a fan of comparing your life to the lives of others in either a positive or negative way, it certainly helps provide some perspective. “Compete with your current self to become your future self.” – but first be grateful for your current self. Are you taking all of the above for granted? Are you focused on what you don’t have instead of being grateful for what you do have?
This past week I woke to a slight snow cover over the autumn leaves that I have not had a chance to completely clean up. It would be very easy to moan and groan about this “inconvenience.” Why? What good will that do? About the only thing it could do is negatively impact my mood and the rest of my day.
Instead I am grateful for all the trees in my yard. The autumn colors were spectacular and in spring they will bud and form into a beautiful umbrella of green and yellow that will provide relief from the summer heat. Instead I am humbled and awe struck with the juxtaposition of snow over the autumn colors. I get to witness and experience this from the comfort, warmth, and safety of my sun room. I am very fortunate and grateful.
I don’t mean to make light of the life challenges many face. I would be the first to say – “Big deal, you didn’t whine about a little snow cover. Try finding that perspective when facing (insert life challenge).” Regardless of the magnitude of the challenge faced – I believe Mood, Happiness, and Attitude are a choice – 9 times out of 10. Not an easy choice but a choice none the less.
Would I have preferred 75 and sunny this week? Absolutely! Will I at some point this winter wake up to below 0 temperatures asking myself – “Why the hell do we still live in Ohio?” Yes, most likely on more than one occasion. Then, selfishly for my own benefit, I will find things to be grateful about to adjust my mood and attitude. That last sentence is interesting. You can almost say that:
Finding gratitude is the best and most selfish thing you can do.
~Michael Gusky
Did you just go through a break up or divorce? Try being grateful for all the positives you experienced and the possibilities of the future.
Did someone cut you off in traffic? Try being grateful that it did not result in an accident with injuries.
Did you lose someone close to you? Try being grateful for the time and experiences you had. Celebrate their life.
I know this is all easier said than done. I know this has all been said a million times. I know there may even be chemical reactions or deficits in the brain making this even harder for some. All that being said – isn’t it worth a try? Over and Over and Over again!? What do you have a to lose? A crappy day!?
Before you set targets and plans for the new year be sure you start with gratitude. If that is difficult then finding and building that ability should probably be your one and only target to start.
We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.
~Seneca
Happy Thanksgiving!
Gus
P.S. – Be sure to “Like” and Follow JTC to stay in touch on Facebook here. I will be launching a FREE “Joysetting to raise the bar in 2019” workshop starting in December.
