Last night was Halloween. We spent much of the morning taking down the Halloween decorations, and now we’re looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas being around the corner. The Gators beat Georgia yesterday, game 5 of the World Series is tonight, and all seems right with the world … I can’t wait for the week ahead. I can’t wait for the weather to cool off. After all, it’s November.
Not so fast – that’s not happening. It’ll be in the 80’s all week. Really, it’s been like 200 for the last six months and now it’s November. We should be getting a break!
Ok, before my friends in Boston, Chicago, Ottawa, or wherever threaten to put a curse on me, you should know that the rest of this post is about the insanity of my sulking.
In this first week of November, I thought it would be appropriate to write about the topic and gift of gratitude. After all, in the US we’ve turned November into a month-long celebration of gratitude. You probably have a dozen or so friends on Facebook that post something for which they’re thankful all 30 days of November; you probably hear about organizations having gratitude initiatives this month, and of course, the closer we get to the fourth Thursday of the month we all pay more attention to giving thanks. If all this is true, then why am I pissed that it’s going to be in the 80’s all week long – the type of weather most people wish for?
I don’t know why, but I do know how to get myself out of this funk by using the gift of gratitude. I put myself through a short and an overly simple exercise that gets me out of most any funk. You have to practice about 100 times before it become automatic, but you will be happy you did so. I suggest performing this exercise about 10 – 20 times per day and you’ll knock out your 100 in about a week.
The exercise: State five things for which you’re grateful, and pause for a few seconds between each one to let it make an impact. I know, I know – hokey – I get it. However, try it 100 times and let me know how hokey it is. You don’t have to write them down or examine them – simply repeat to yourself five things for which you’re grateful. My lists will consist of things as minor as the smell of the cinnamon brooms in Publix to as large as my health. Try to think of different things for every list, but don’t obsess over it – just state five every time.
I promise this simple exercise will lift your day and keep you from sulking or feeling sorry for yourself. Ok, here it goes. My five for now…
- I’m grateful my family adopted me from foster care when I was a baby.
- I’m grateful that my daughter is healthy.
- I’m grateful that I met my wife when I did.
- I’m grateful my parents got me involved in youth athletics.
- … and yes, I’m grateful that we’re going to have gorgeous weather this week.
You can be driving, taking a shower, waiting for an appointment, whatever. Just do it 10 – 20 times per day and watch the joy flow into your life.
