On this Veteran’s Day and month of Thanksgiving, I thought it was only fitting to ask the poignant question: For what are you grateful? It is so easy to take many of our gifts and blessings for granted. Thus, I tried to capture a few blessings for which I am grateful. Some are obvious, others are not. I, for one, believe that by deliberately cultivating gratitude, we can increase our well-being and happiness. In addition, grateful thinking—and especially expression of it to others—has been proven to increase levels of energy, optimism, and empathy. So, for what am I grateful?
- I am grateful for the many men and women who have served our country over the decades, and in come cases have given their lives, to enable our freedom. Coming from a family of veterans, and my father having spent 11 months in a Korean hospital, this holiday has significant meaning to me. We are indebted to our armed services for the freedoms and safety we experience today.
- I am grateful for the love, unconditional support and encouragement of my family – mom, dad, and sister – throughout my life.
- I am grateful to have found Lulu, my rescue schnauzer; as she has provided a warm loving simplicity to my often hectic life.
- I am grateful to my friends for their interest, humor, and loyal friendship.
- I am grateful to my childhood friends, who though our lives have taken different directions in most cases, our friendship is stalwart, easy, and ‘all-knowing’…..we simply pick right up which is a blessing.
- I am grateful to those ‘mean girls’ who have ‘voted me off the island’ as they have taught me resilience and the value of true friendship.
- I am grateful to my clients and customers for their confidence and for helping me to continue to grow and learn in my profession.
- I am grateful to my beloved editor of my 1st and 2nd book, who lost her battle to cancer; yet, taught me through her courageous, faith-filled attitude how to live despite terminal challenges.
- I am grateful for the dark night of the soul which illuminated by current calling and positioned me for alignment – as least for now.
- I am grateful for the impermanence of life and the joy of ongoing evolution and change.
- I am grateful for rough seas as they give much autobiographical material for rich stories.
- I am grateful for the incidental encounters in life which are not incidental at all.
- I am grateful to Rodan+Fields for offering a vehicle for me to offer my clients and friends for amazing residual income for a rich retirement.
- I am grateful for the beautiful music of nature in the morning – birds, squirrels, and leaves rustling in the wind.
- I am grateful to those who criticize my books and writing, as this encourages me to continue reaching deeper, and to be true to my own authenticity regardless of their opinion.
- I am grateful to my Rotary Club for providing me the amazing opportunity to serve in such a powerful and well-structured way.
- I am grateful for the doubters relative to my entrepreneurship with Alignment, Inc., book-writing, and Rodan+Fields choices; as they have served as catalysts along my journey.
- I am grateful for the stars, the moon, and the mysterious quiet of the night.
- I am grateful for those who attempt to marginalize my work, in comparison to theirs, as this encourages me to define my own level of success and contribution to the world.
- I am grateful to the many service professionals from mailmen to bank tellers to salon workers to bookkeepers who support our daily lives.
- I am grateful for the many challenges of life as they teach valuable lessons of Faith, Hope, and Love.
These are just a few of the many blessings for which I am grateful. How can we instill an ‘Attitude of Gratitude’ this month and through the year? A few tips:
- Find pleasure in the simple things and keep a gratitude journal. Nothing fancy – just write down 1-2 things a day. It will amaze you how this will transform your thinking.
- Give at least one compliment a day or send a note to a friend who may need a ‘B12’. This will light a spark of love in you – of this I am 100% certain.
- When icky bits happen, ask ‘what am I supposed to be learning or teaching through this experience’?
- Find a cause or organization in which you can serve…by joining in, you will be fulfilled and minor challenges will virtually disappear.
- Say ‘thank you’ early and often!
For what are you grateful? Please share!
Enjoyed this article.
In life, we climb many mountains, forge many rivers. And then there are the bears in life. Some times the bear wins, but some times the bear loses. It helps to have a grateful attitude to see us thru those times when the bear wins, and when yet there is still another mountain to climb, and yet another river to forge.
I am grateful for a life of such richness and love as I never imagined existed….a life achieved through a partnership with Bob Porter, a man of towering integrity, generosity, and wisdom. I am grateful for three sons, men who emulate their father in their gentle, nurturing lives and who have given me eternal life through their beautiful children.
I am grateful for our veterans and all our active military that provide us with a safe, secure country to live, worship, and enjoy all our freedoms. Thanks for reminding us of all our blessings. Happy Veterans Day!
Kristin,
Hopefully this note wil get though to you. I’ve written you other responses that I evidently am not getting the code in correctly.
I am amaised by the thoughts and creatavity you bring to your articles. Even if I could develop the ideas it would take me weeks to write them and never with the clarity that they are written.
Thank you Jesse, Pat, MargeAnna and Al for these kind and thoughtful responses. We are all so very blessed.
Kristin,
I am so very grateful for you! Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Janet
Kristin,
I am grateful to all veterans with whom I served during my Army career in Japan, Korea, Europe and Vietnam. I am especially grateful to our “Greatest
Generation” who saved our country and the world during World War II.
Babs and I are thankful to God for having you, your parents and Gretchen in our lives. We love you.
John
Kristin…well done. I resolve, from time to time, to make it a daily practice to write down what I’m grateful for as a morning ritual–like booting up my computer. But, it’s one of those that I fail to set aside time for consistently. You’ve inspired me to resume that practice. By the way, for today I’ll say publicly that I’m grateful for YOU and the things I happen to know about that you are doing for others.
This was wonderful, Kristin! Thank you for reminding us that the unwelcome experiences of our lives can end up being our greatest blessings in the long run.
I add my name to the long list of those who are grateful for your inspiring wisdom and leadership.