November has always been my favorite time of year for several reasons. The weather starts getting cooler and everyone starts getting into the holiday spirit. Most important, it is the time when everyone gives thanks and gratitude for those people, events, places, and experiences they appreciate most!
Over the last year, I have come to realize the real power of Gratitude. Gratitude can change your life, your outlook, your health, your work, and your relationships. Gratitude is a mindset, but it is also a skill that can be developed and strengthened. I initially thought that being grateful for something or someone meant to say “thank you” all the time. It is much more than that. It is about being PRESENT and to truly acknowledge and recognize all the good that is in your life!
There are times when I can get really wound up — just ask my husband! I can become stressed, worried, anxious or maybe a little angry- usually about a situation or person. I have learned that gratitude is the first step in stopping that “spiral”.
I want to share with you what I have learned this last two weeks by participating in the Global Gratitude Summit. Experts from all different fields of study are talking about the power of Gratitude based on their research, personal experiences, and amazing outcomes!
Did you know that there are two parts of your brain that are working in very different ways on your overall emotional /mental state? – the frontal cortex and the back side of your brain. One is all about the fight/flight response and the other side is more calming, logical and rational. When we are upset or angry it is that fight/flight, reptilian part of the brain that really takes over. BUT when you STOP, BREATHE and begin to identify what you are grateful for, you are tapping into that calm and logical part of the brain! It works. I have used it many times! There are also many more benefits when exercising this type of gratitude, including improved brain health!
One other important lesson that I have learned from my friend, Sharon Saraga Walters (founder of the 28-day Gratitude workout), is that even in the most challenging or darkest moments of your life, the single most important thing for you to do is to STOP and identify something good in your life, something you are grateful for. This is a powerful tool in shifting out of your “spiral” of despair. You begin to ask yourself what lessons you can learn from this most difficult or challenging time of your life.
So, the bottom line – GRATITUDE does not happen just on Thanksgiving Day. Gratitude can be a regular part of your thinking and mindset. The more you find things to be grateful for, the more all kinds of amazing things begin to happen in your life because you open the door to greater goodness and opportunity.
The good news is that it is super easy to get started with baby steps that take about 5 minutes or less – either at the beginning or the end of the day. Start with a piece of paper by your bed (or a journal). In the morning when you wake up and get started or at the very end of the day before you go to sleep –write down 3-5 things that you are grateful for. It may be something that happened to you in your day or things or people related to your health, your family, your home, your work, your relationships or even something about YOU.
If you really want to jump on the “Gratitude Bandwagon”, you have about 5 more days to join the Global Gratitude Summit and learn the many ways that Gratitude can improve your life. It’s free and there is a different speaker with a different topic every day, so you can listen any time during that 24-hour period. Here is how you can register: Do not wait because the Summit ends on Thanksgiving Day!
I am so very grateful for all of you that support and encourage me. I continue to get inspired and energized about our work connecting mid-life adults to their encore, especially when people find the many opportunities to make a difference in their community! I would love to hear about your stories of discovery and joy as you redefine your second half!
Until then, Happy Thanksgiving!
Bevan Rogel
Encore Tampa Bay