Gratitude Can Change Your Life!
“If the only prayer you say in your life is ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.” – Meister Eckhart
Gratitude is thankfulness; it is a way of being, of counting your blessings and acknowledging all you receive. It comes down to living your life as if everything in it was a miracle, and being aware of just how much you’ve been given. Gratitude shifts your focus away from what is lacking in your life, to the abundance that is already at hand. Expressing your gratitude or giving thanks, strengthens relationships, improves health, reduces stress and makes people happier and far more resilient. It brings real joy into your business.
As business people we have a tendency to take things for granted and in particular good things. This little exercise may help you to notice and appreciate one of your most valuable assets: Imagine losing all of your customers. Then imagine getting them back, one by one. Now consider how grateful you are for each and every one of them.
Now that you have recognised each of them for the real value that they are to you, what are you going to do about it? One response would be to say that this was just a game and carry on as before, taking them and your relationship with them for granted, assuming that they will always be there. A better response would be to recognise their importance to your life.
Or, you might like to share your rediscovered joy at having them in your life and send them some sort of acknowledgement and appreciation for their real value in your life and business.
The more you become aware of things to be grateful for, the more enjoyment you will find along with greater appreciation in simple pleasures and things you just took for granted previously.
Gratitude should not just be used as a response when you’re getting what you want; it serves you best as an ‘all-the-time attitude and action.’ Living in gratitude is where you notice the little things and where you constantly look for the good, even in unpleasant situations. Today, right now, start bringing gratitude to all of your experiences, instead of waiting for good experiences in order to feel grateful. Do this and you’ll soon be making your way to becoming a ‘master of gratitude’ and having it change your life for the better.
Ron and Sue