The New Black

Gratitude is the New Black

Do you have any idea how HOT it is to be grateful? 

It is.

I am not talking about saying please and thank you (though manners do go a long way), but I am talking about real, thankful for what you HAVE now, gratitude.

HOT.

I just read my diary from 2002.  It says, “I just want to stop wanting.”  Oooh, dirty little 25-year old me, guilty on one count (that day) of pining for something I didn’t have (probably a guy).  But that’s it.  We languish when we want something we can’t have.

I am trying to teach this to ten-year olds now.

We all want.  And that’s ok.  It’s ok to want.  It’s ok to set goals and work diligently toward achieving them.  But if it robs you of appreciating what you already have, you will end up in the perpetual chase.  The ass and the golden carrot if you will.

Take a moment to wipe the sweat from your brow.  I will do the same.

How often do you take the time to sum up the riches in your life?  If it’s not more often than the opposite, you might want to make some changes. 

Simple actions, let me repeat, ACTIONS, can free you from the “want-funk” and center you in a more optimistic and happy place.  Who doesn’t want strive to be just that?

Here are 5 little steps you can take to wear the new attitude of gratitude.

1.     Place some post-it notes on mirror/cupboards/walls that serve as reminders.

2.     Show your appreciation for others (without being an ass-kisser).  Be real.

3.     Walk around with a camera.  It’s amazing what you see when you are looking.

4.     Use your resources.  Stop hiding your talents and pretending that you aren’t good enough.  Let the world see who you are and what you are capable of.

5.     Last but certainly not least, do the things that make you thrive, because you can.

Then, keep thriving ... gratefully. 

It's hot.