Happy Thanksgiving!
Most of the time, we’re focused on what’s missing, what’s broken, or what still needs fixing. I’m no different. It’s heavy.
The World likes it this way. The World cashes in on our feelings of inadequacy and less than whole.
But you can turn that around. You can shield yourself and build up a tolerance and callous. You do it by intentionally practicing gratitude. The beauty of noticing what’s already good is that it’s the perfect way to make your life better without changing anything. Nothing changes, yet everything changes.
You can start with a gratitude audit. Three simple questions.
What have I overlooked?
We often take the mundane for granted. Is your house warm (or cool)? Did you sleep good last night? Your partner’s smile. Does a colleague always say “good morning” to you?
Who has shown up for me?
Think of the friends who listen, the mentors who guide, or even the stranger who held the door open when your hands were full. Who cares? Who made today better? Who makes every day better?
What challenges have taught me?
Even the hard stuff has value. I’m not a believer in “never quit” and I give the “do hard things!” shouters the sideways glance, but yes, the hard stuff has a ton of value. You build confidence. You gain skills. You build resilience. You gain insight. Do the hard things and take the credit.
Now write your answers down. Seeing them in black and white makes them real.
The act of listing what you’re thankful for reframes your mindset. It changes the way you think and see your life. You shift from scarcity to abundance, from frustration to appreciation.
Gratitude isn’t just a feeling. It’s a discipline. The more you do it. The more you feel it. You’ll find that the blessings were always there — you just hadn’t noticed them yet.
