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.

Happiness may be contagious…ya think???

Dear Friend,

Breaking news from London...“Happiness is like a stampede,” said Nicholas Christakis, a professor in Harvard University’s sociology department. Read the report here.

After 20 years of intensive study, researchers have discovered that happiness is contagious and that even your good cheer can be passed on to strangers.

But wait, there’s more….. (sounds like an infomercial, right?) Actually, here are my top seven ways to be happy. There may be more, but seven is plenty. By the way if you know of more, let me know.

1. Be in a state of perpetual gratitude. The more you concentrate on what is good in your life, the happier you will be. Being grateful about small things really helps. This may be especially challenging when you are experiencing difficulties, but like any other good habit, you can develop and strengthen your gratitude muscles. For example, I say to myself, “I am so happy and grateful to be able to share my thoughts with thousands of readers.”

2. Have meaningful and fulfilling work. If you have ever been to one of my seminars, likely you have heard me say, “If you aren’t happy doing the work you do, please do what makes you happy.” Life is way too short to be stressed out because you are not working with your personal talents and/or doing the thing you love. When you do what you love…and you do it well, the money will chase you. In fact, you won’t even call it work.

3. Have a relationship with God. You define God the way you wish. Spirituality is crucial to happiness. Being in close touch with your maker, creator, the source of your life, the designer of the universe, etc. is innate to humans. Not only does it stimulate happiness, but humility and personal power. It also helps you comprehend that we are all connected as humans.

4. Maintain your health and energy. You don’t have to be a marathon runner or Olympian to remain healthy. Regular exercise and good nutrition stimulates joy endorphins and happiness hormones in your neurological system. It is much easier to project good energy to others when your personal energy is abundant. About 18 months ago, I began practicing Bikram Yoga. This is an intense practice which combines Hatha and Raja yoga. I practice at least four times a week. I have been an avid athlete all of my life, but this is the most physically, mentally and emotionally fulfilling activity I have ever done for my health and energy. What is yours?

5. Wrap yourself in friends, family and loved ones. You must have a circle of people with whom you share your goals, dreams, heartaches, laughs, and life. There is no replacement for the good times you can share with loved ones. These are the people that love you just for being YOU. That’s cool.

6. Serve humanity. You must extend yourself outside of yourself. That means giving your talents, skills, resources and wisdom to others in need or at least who will appreciate it. When it’s always about YOU, eventually you will feel hollow. When you contribute to others, you have that internal smile which is contagious.

7. Chill out. “Don’t worry, be happy,” is the chorus of Bobby McFerrin’s song. How often have you worried about things that never happened? Worry is a useless emotion. Mark Twain said, “I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.”

Happiness is contagious, but more importantly, it doesn’t have to be an accident. I welcome your comments on this blog.

Until our paths cross again, take care of yourself and your loved ones.

Paul

Ps. Please check out my Home Study Course for Housing Industry sales professionals. It is an advance course and is not for everyone. Check it out here.