Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen many posts and heard comments about what people are thankful for. I’ve even been doing my own “daily gratitude” tribute (check them out on Instagram).
You may have heard that practicing being grateful has actually been scientifically proven to enhance happiness, improve health, and boost well-being when done consistently. Most noteworthy, here are some of the outcomes from practicing gratitude according to Psychologist and researcher, Dr. Robert Emmons and his team:
While all of these benefits are convincing enough, my own daily practice showed me something even more compelling that made me think of thankfulness in a new way.
Gratitude starts with acknowledgment. And when practiced regularly, it develops authenticity and integrity, ultimately building positive relationships with yourself and others.
Here are three “ah-has” that I had this month that helped me go beyond gratitude:
AH HA #1: First, being thankful forces you to first be mindful. Why? Because to understand what has made you who you are, where you are now. Maybe it’s identifying something you’ve overcome or recognized a person or experience that has made your life better.
AH HA #2: Gratitude also promotes an honest practice of self-awareness that makes us more in touch with our core values and what really is driving our life. Therefore, it’s impossible to be truly grateful for something that isn’t really in line with how we want to live.
AH HA #3: Strong relationships are built on a solid foundation of gratitude. Dr. Emmons explains why gratitude is good:
“The social benefits are especially significant here because, after all, gratitude is a social emotion. I see it as a relationship-strengthening emotion because it requires us to see how we’ve been supported and affirmed by other people.”
The consistent thread that runs through moments of gratitude comes from leading with intention… Click To Tweet
As we celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow, let’s start with recognizing our values in action and how they cultivate true gratitude.
Take a moment to consider this:
- What do you really stand for? List your top five core values here.
- How have you activated each of these values recently?
- Describe the impact on your relationship with yourself and others.
- As a result, are you most grateful for as a result?
May you have a blessed Thanksgiving and a lifetime of gratitude!
Be the Revolution,
Executive Coach + Lifestyle Strategist
for Millennial Leaders and their Managers
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