Harnessing the power of Gratitude
Over Thanksgiving last year I began deeply contemplating the concept of "gratitude". It seemed like a good idea given all of this political and pandemic-driven "unrest" our country has been facing. I chose to get on the court with the topic. I wrote a blog about gratitude, I studied the science behind gratitude, explored the Latin roots of gratitude, and I even practiced declaring what I am grateful for with my family.
That's a lot of practice, right? After two months of being on the court with this I thought, "ok, I got this gratitude thing all figured out". Boy, was I wrong.
On a recent morning Peloton ride, our instructor Robin posed a question that literally led me to stop my pedals. I was frozen in the bike seat by the power that gratitude can generate. Robin asked: What do you have right now that you used to wish for? Identify that and harness the gratitude.
Say WHAT?! I had to stop pedaling because I was instantly overwhelmed by my thoughts. I had NEVER taken on the topic of gratitude from that lens before.
I suddenly began thinking of all the things I've wished for, like ...
I spent so many years if my life wishing for love - I now have a man who adores me and honors me
I wished for a house - I have a home with all the comforts I could dream of
I wished for a healthy and happy family - I have two boys, one a spitting image of me, the other a spitting image of my husband
I wished to work with a woman named Sandy Sullivan - We own a company together now; she's my best friend, my coach, my partner, my gold
I wished for my parents to get vaccinated - both have recently received their first dose of the COVID vaccine
I wished for an intentional group of girlfriends - I have powerful women in my life now who embrace my mess and pick me up when I fall
And the list wouldn't stop. Once I started pedaling again, I felt lighter, I pushed harder, my mind was clearer. I had actually harnessed the power of gratitude from inside my body.
I share this story with you for two reasons:
Taking on a gratitude practice is a POWERFUL choice we can make as leaders. Are you willing to ask yourself: What do you have right now that you used to wish for? Share your answers with your family, your colleagues, your friends.
The journey of leadership never ends. Just when you think you've "arrived" or "solved it", there is MORE - Dig deeper, look harder, dial-up the curiosity and continue on the journey.
Courage always,
