It doesn’t take long for us to find reasons to be both disappointed and disillusioned. That comes naturally – no practice required. But it takes intentional thought to focus on why we should be grateful. God tells us to be thankful. Parents often reminded us to appreciate what we have. And psychologists have found that keeping a gratitude journal even for a short period of time has lasting benefits to one’s emotional health. This Thanksgiving, here are eight reasons to be grateful.
1. Life could be significantly harder than it already is for you. Consider that.
2. If you have more than $16,000 in your checking and saving account, you have more than the average American. Celebrate that.
3. More people appreciate you than you realize even if they don’t express it. Remember that.
4. If you make more than $10,000, you make more than half the world population. Ponder that.
5. There is no such thing as perfect health for most people – only 4.3% of the population have NO health related issues. Think about that.
6. If you have one or two good friends, you are better than many since half of Americans struggle with loneliness. Consider that.
7. If you had a fresh glass of water today, you had something that 780,000,000 people desperately desire. Reflect on that.
8. You are probably making a greater difference in the lives of others than you think. Celebrate that.
Contact us to learn how coaching can help you shift your perspective on leadership.
Jay Desko is the CEO of The Center Consulting Group and brings experience in the areas of organizational assessment, leadership coaching, decision-making, and strategic questioning. Jay’s degrees include an M.Ed. in Instructional Systems Design from Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Leadership from The Union Institute.
