Attitude of Gratitude

Don’t you just love the month of November? The fall weather is slowly making it’s way to the Gulf Coast. We don’t experience the changing of leaves like the northern states, but we gladly welcome the reprieve from the hot summer months. Of all the great things this month has to offer, I believe Thanksgiving is at the top of the list.  

Family and friends gathering together. The tempting aromas saturating the house throughout the day. Throwing the football in the backyard, and watching the Lions lose again (sorry Dad). Of course, eating way too much food. The laughter, conversations, the memories being made that we cherish forever. The inevitable food comma that we all succumb.  

With all the great things about Thanksgiving, the reminder to slow down and be thankful is so needed. Obviously, we don’t need to wait for this wonderful holiday to be thankful. It’s a 365 days a year kind of thing.  

My encouragement for everyone this week is to do a daily gratitude challenge. Here’s how it works. As soon as you wake up in the morning, start with I am thankful for ________ (you fill in the blank). It doesn’t have to be a 10 page list, but include the important ones like health, family, friends, another day, etc.  

Throughout the day, express to others your gratitude for them. When we start to feel the stinking thinking creep inside our head, immediately shift your focus to your gratitude list. When you finish your day, think about all the things you are thankful.  

It doesn’t take much brain power to find the things we don’t like. With everything happening this year, we can easily get sucked into a negative worm hole. Like anything, gratitude will take some effort at first. Through effort and mindfulness it will become a wonderful habit. As Thanksgiving approaches, let’s all embrace this idea of an attitude of gratitude.