Gratitude...Rocks
Dear Friend,
I just returned from a treatment session from one of my body workers. This time it was a deep tissue massage and man-o-man, did I ever need it.
Which brings me to the subject of this blog….Gratitude.
Gratitude: The state of being grateful; warm and friendly feeling toward a benefactor; kindness awakened by a favor received; thankfulness.
Albert Schweitzer, the Nobel Peace Prize recipient, once said, “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”
It’s amazing what a huge dose of thankfulness will do for your psyche. One of the modules I cover with my elite coaching students deals strictly with gratitude. What in the heck does gratitude have to do with increasing your sales or improving your business?
The answer is simple….there is no separation of your personal well-being and your professional success.
My elite students go through a process of identifying all the areas of their life in which they can express gratitude. Sure, it requires some patience and persistence, but it yields results.
I have narrowed it down to three simple areas for you. Just for "shits and giggles" (i just learned that term), give it a try. Here’s how:
1. Professional. Answer this question….during 2008, what single professional accomplishment are you most thankful for? It can be any area. For example, when I answer this question for myself, I come up with…..”I am happy and extremely grateful to have traveled to New Zealand to speak in three different cities.” That was a heck of a deal for me to be invited to NZ to speak to hundreds of people in my seminars. Really cool stuff.
2. Philosophical. There are four primary areas which make up your philosophy about life and your human experience. They are your spiritual journey, your physical condition, your mental state, and your emotional status. Answer this question….during 2008, what philosophical experience did I have for which I am most grateful? When I answer this question for myself, one area stands out rather prominently. Two very close people in my life left this earthly journey (my brother and my brother-in-law) in 2008 and it really helped me re-examine and re-affirm my spiritual beliefs about life and our existence. While the events were particularly tough to go through, I am so grateful to remember how precious this life is and how I should live and love with complete passion and vigor.
3. Personal. This area relates to your family, your friends, your loved ones and your love life. Answer this question…during 2008, what personal area of my life am I most grateful for? My personal answer is, “I am most grateful to have drawn closer to my family during the time of our loss. I am so happy and thankful to have learned more about them as human beings and what moves and inspires them most.” Of course there are other areas of personal gratitude and you will want to be thankful for those as well. However, just to start the process, you can narrow it down to one or two events.
All too often, we get caught up in the rigors of daily life or in the story of our mind and forget to be grateful. Maybe you don’t, but I certainly do. There are times when I just simply have to make a concerted effort to focus on the things for which I am most grateful.
When you are in the existence of gratefulness, it literally releases joy endorphins to your nervous system, elevates the oxygen levels in your body and sends a sense of serenity and concentration to your mind, body and spirit.
One additional note…take time to publicly express your gratitude to people in your world. “I really appreciate you”, are some pretty sweet words to hear.
Until our paths cross again, take great care of yourself and your loved ones…and…I genuinely am grateful that you take the time to read my blog. I welcome your comments.
Paul
Ps. I will probably take off most of the next two weeks for the holidays. So please have a safe and 'rockin' holiday season.....2009 is going to be absolutely freakin' awesome.
Dear Friend,
I just returned from a treatment session from one of my body workers. This time it was a deep tissue massage and man-o-man, did I ever need it.
Which brings me to the subject of this blog….Gratitude.
Gratitude: The state of being grateful; warm and friendly feeling toward a benefactor; kindness awakened by a favor received; thankfulness.
Albert Schweitzer, the Nobel Peace Prize recipient, once said, “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”
It’s amazing what a huge dose of thankfulness will do for your psyche. One of the modules I cover with my elite coaching students deals strictly with gratitude. What in the heck does gratitude have to do with increasing your sales or improving your business?
The answer is simple….there is no separation of your personal well-being and your professional success.
My elite students go through a process of identifying all the areas of their life in which they can express gratitude. Sure, it requires some patience and persistence, but it yields results.
I have narrowed it down to three simple areas for you. Just for "shits and giggles" (i just learned that term), give it a try. Here’s how:
1. Professional. Answer this question….during 2008, what single professional accomplishment are you most thankful for? It can be any area. For example, when I answer this question for myself, I come up with…..”I am happy and extremely grateful to have traveled to New Zealand to speak in three different cities.” That was a heck of a deal for me to be invited to NZ to speak to hundreds of people in my seminars. Really cool stuff.
2. Philosophical. There are four primary areas which make up your philosophy about life and your human experience. They are your spiritual journey, your physical condition, your mental state, and your emotional status. Answer this question….during 2008, what philosophical experience did I have for which I am most grateful? When I answer this question for myself, one area stands out rather prominently. Two very close people in my life left this earthly journey (my brother and my brother-in-law) in 2008 and it really helped me re-examine and re-affirm my spiritual beliefs about life and our existence. While the events were particularly tough to go through, I am so grateful to remember how precious this life is and how I should live and love with complete passion and vigor.
3. Personal. This area relates to your family, your friends, your loved ones and your love life. Answer this question…during 2008, what personal area of my life am I most grateful for? My personal answer is, “I am most grateful to have drawn closer to my family during the time of our loss. I am so happy and thankful to have learned more about them as human beings and what moves and inspires them most.” Of course there are other areas of personal gratitude and you will want to be thankful for those as well. However, just to start the process, you can narrow it down to one or two events.
All too often, we get caught up in the rigors of daily life or in the story of our mind and forget to be grateful. Maybe you don’t, but I certainly do. There are times when I just simply have to make a concerted effort to focus on the things for which I am most grateful.
When you are in the existence of gratefulness, it literally releases joy endorphins to your nervous system, elevates the oxygen levels in your body and sends a sense of serenity and concentration to your mind, body and spirit.
One additional note…take time to publicly express your gratitude to people in your world. “I really appreciate you”, are some pretty sweet words to hear.
Until our paths cross again, take great care of yourself and your loved ones…and…I genuinely am grateful that you take the time to read my blog. I welcome your comments.
Paul
Ps. I will probably take off most of the next two weeks for the holidays. So please have a safe and 'rockin' holiday season.....2009 is going to be absolutely freakin' awesome.
