One of the best parts of my mental diet is gratitude. It’s better than that first cup of coffee. Not only does it hit the spot first thing, I find it a great midday and afternoon snack when I hit my mental wall.
I find gratitude leaves me refreshed and humble. When I realize how much God has blessed me, I have the urge to share. When life starts beating me down, or things seem to be going against me, the response of expressing gratitude for beat downs and set backs opens my thoughts to new positive possibilities.
Gratitude is a useful punishment I recommend to leaders and teachers. When my students, or clients, are late, I require them to give me three things for which they are grateful as the price for tardiness. While some students continue to be late, I find their attitude is better and so is mine.
Each morning I always thank God for the day, my wife and family, abilities, challenges, and opportunities to help others. During the day, I try to speak gratitude for my problems and the people I encounter at work. I am still working on offering gratitude for all the slow drivers I encounter driving home. Nobody’s perfect.
Set your smart phone or computer to go off at 8am, 10am, 2pm, and 5pm. When it goes off, stop and think of three things you are grateful. The first three. Do it for a month and let me know what others say about you.
“This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.”
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