Recently, a couple completed their Couples Coaching program. In a follow up “reflection and celebration,” meeting I asked, “What strategy are you using to ensure you continue with these amazing shifts you’ve made?” He said, “I’ve got a paper on the fridge that says, ‘Practice Gratitude’ and every time I see that, it reminds me to practice gratitude for the life I’ve chosen.”
I invite you to read that last sentence one more time, slowly, so you really absorb it into your head, heart, and gut.
I invite you, and even double-dog dare you to accept this big bold challenge.
Every day from now on, if you consciously, consistently, and persistently practice gratitude for the life you’ve chosen, I guarantee (at a 100% level) you will experience greater happiness, joy, and satisfaction.
You may say, “Oh, come on, Dan, how can you guarantee such results?”
Yup, there are words like, “if,” “life you’ve chosen,” “guarantee,” and “greater” that collectively might seem like fluff. I know there is a lot of ambiguousness to this so let’s explore it in a logical, mathematical way and from a sense of purpose and meaning. Through it all, I am grateful if this message supports one or two people to choose gratitude for the life they’ve chosen.
First let’s explore “choice.” I’m suggesting really easy things to do.
Simple choices:
- a big breath upon waking, with the thought, “I am grateful to be alive today.”
- a genuine, loving hug given to your partner (and kids if you have them), with the thought (and saying), “I am grateful to be a part of your life.”
- drinking a refreshment of your choice, and eating something of your choice with the thought, “I am grateful for this abundance.”
- heading into your duties with the thought, “I am grateful that I get to do these important tasks.”
- noticing the sun, rain, snow, grass, trees, and animals with the thought, “I am grateful for the wonders of nature and my ability to connect.”
- greeting other people with the thought (and saying), “I am grateful to know you, learn from you, share with you, and be in your presence.”
- ______________ (your experience) with the thought, “I am grateful for __________ (fill in the blank).”
Imagine… Just imagine… the possible effects. Which of these might be doable for you?
The Math
Slightly less than 1,000 subscribers receive this newsletter. Statistically, between 25% and 40% of those people open it. I am grateful that you are one of those. Let’s guess that the same percentage make the time to read it. Using averages, that would be about 100 people. I’m grateful that you are one of those. For the sake of an experiment, let’s guess that only 10 of those people accept this challenge. Wow, I am grateful for the implications this can have for you, your partner, family, friends, colleagues, and anyone in your circle of influence. If there is any validity to the “ripple effect”, this challenge could have massive positive effects worldwide.
Now let’s get specific in relation to you, assuming that you are 1 of those 10 (whether the assumption is true or not).
The phrase, “IF you consciously, consistently, and persistently practice gratitude” is not about commitment, it is about experimentation – if. So, accepting the challenge does not tie you to a life change – unless you choose to. Go ahead and just try it on for size.
The phrase, “greater happiness, joy, and satisfaction” means there is a benchmark for measurement. For the sake of the experiment, I invite you to rate your level of happiness, joy, and satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being extremely low and 10 being amazingly high). Each attribute could be its own rating. I invite you to record your rating(s).
With intention and purpose, I invite you to commit, just for today, to implement 2 or 3 of the ideas listed above.
The Steps
- Gratefully choose the 2 or 3 you WILL implement today.
- Consciously, consistently, and persistently implement them.
- With your increased awareness, notice how you feel and the response you get from others when you share your gratitude.
- Choose a time at the end of the day to consider your experiences, your thoughts, and your feelings.
- Choose to rate your current level of happiness, joy, and satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 10.
- Choose to compare that to your benchmark rating.
- Practice gratitude for the life you’ve chosen today. Make it a habit.
- Choose to experiment again tomorrow – or not.
From personal experience (and possibly my resistance to change), it took me several days before I was consciously aware of the positive effects. Those effects helped me to start the day by saying, “Today, I practice gratitude for the life I’ve chosen.”
I don’t know “IF” you will do this or “IF” you will experience greater happiness, joy, and satisfaction.
I do know that I have chosen to Practice Gratitude For The Life I’ve Chosen, many times daily. It works for me.