Imagine you were thrown into a dark prison cell and the powerful person who threw you in tossed the key. Sometimes, we create our own prisons in our mind by how we view our circumstances.
You are the most powerful person in your own prison cell. One individual could be in the same set of circumstances and come out shining. What makes the difference? Perspective!! If you want a new perspective start practicing an attitude of gratitude. Hate your job, hate your boss, hate your circumstances?
By practicing gratefulness you can shift a bad situation into a workable one. First of all, if you have a job even with stress or hated co-workers, you are fortunate today. There are thousands out of work. Life is all a matter of perspective. You may have lost a lot of revenue in your business or income from a job loss.
So tell me do we really need all the STUFF we have in life. Can we downsize, cut back and still be content? Folks are doing with a lot less these days. Can you walk, car pool, take the train, eat out less, sell some STUFF and still be thankful.
For myself, I had my heart set on a very powerful job opportunity I thought I was sure to get. When the day arrived for the deadline and I didn’t get that phone call I was shocked. But, I decided to let it go. I visualized it floating right out of my life. That opportunity I thought would rock my world, gone. Like the proverbial butterfly we can’t hold onto anyway. I CHOSE to be grateful I didn’t get the job instead of the usual disappointment I would have chosen before. By practicing gratefulness I shifted myself away from needing that opportunity to letting it go completely.
Now I am ready to take on my next challenge and adventure without the baggage of ruminating over why I didn’t get it. Our attitudes will make us or break us in life. Not practicing gratitude, actually leads to depression, resentment and even bitterness. Have to work really long hours lately, have to pinch your pennies at the store? Consider the alternative of being out of work for 2 years like some.
Gratefulness can shift us away from stress. Are you out of work? Every day get up and think of at least 3 things to be grateful for. Are you healthy? Did you eat your last meal? Did you have gas to put in your car today? Do you have a roof over your head?
Are there people in your life who are good to you? Be grateful, not everyone has that. Marvel at the little things. People show us kindness every day and we let it pass us by. Marvel at what you have to be grateful for in the present moment and your whole life will shift toward more powerful results.
Gratitude is a state of being. Be grateful you are who you are; you are where you are in your life right now. It doesn’t mean you can’t change it. It will actually help you to arrive at the next stage by accepting where you are today. Tell someone else you’re grateful for them and ROCK their world!
Marianne loves to help people reach their goals: through direction, accountability, and years of experiencing what works and what doesn't.
"Her drive and enthusiasm shows how passionate she is about coaching and in empowering and helping others move forward." -- Carole Cowperthwaite O'Hagen, Executive Coach and Trainer