For me, simply feeling gratitude is a half-measure.
I feel grateful every day for my family, my health and my husband. But I find that my actions are not always in alignment with this gratitude.
This year, I have had no major health issues. But I slacked off exercising and eating healthy.
My family has been wonderful. And while I showed up for emergencies, I haven’t been attentive in small ways to show them how much I appreciate them.
My husband has been a rock. But I often (confession time) overwork, and he gets the short end of the stick with my attention and energy.
“Unexpressed gratitude communicates ingratitude.” – Andy Stanley
Simply feeling gratitude is not enough for me, so I’m focusing on expressing my gratitude through action. Are you with me?
Let’s not wait for an emergency to show our families how much we care. Call them, connect with them while they’re here and healthy.
Let’s not just write in a gratitude journal that we’re grateful for our health. Go exercise.
Let’s not settle for just feeling appreciation for our spouse. Knock off work early (or simply on time) while you still have energy to be present to focus on them.
Why don’t you post your gratitude in action commitment here? We’ll meet back here next year, and find out how it went!
Thank you for the sharing your insights, Mary
What a refreshing article on gratitude! You are prompting me to call some relatives I adore, think of often but don’t contact often enough. They’re cousins and they are each getting a call tonight. And while I am at it, thank you for all that you are doing for us, your clients. I’ve learned so much from working with you and Adam and the learning continues. Have a great Thanksgiving Mary!
Hey – thanks Cindy! You are a delight to work with and have so much to offer!
I try (TRY!) to look at the bad times as a sort of barometer to help me appreciate the good times even more. It’s hard to give thanks in tough situations and this last year and a half has tested many of us in ways we couldn’t have imagined. But at the end of the day, it’s all about perspective and as we cautiously edge out of the worst of the pandemic, I find myself thankful for the new ways I have learned to balance work and life, and more grateful than ever for “together times” with family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving!