Recently, at the encouragement of a friend, I started carrying a “gratitude rock” in my pocket. It’s really just a small, smooth stone that I picked up from the fish pond behind our house. I carry it with me where ever I go.
The basic idea is simple. Whenever my hand contacts the stone—usually several times a day—I give thanks for something. It is usually what is happening at that moment, whether good or bad.
It is amazing how this simple act changes my perspective and, ultimately, my attitude. Instead of seeing the glass half-empty, I see it half-full. Instead of focusing on what I don’t have, I focus on what I do have—right now.
Someone once wisely told me, “You won’t get what you don’t have until you learn to be grateful for what you do have.” I think that is so true. We so often focus on our lack—what’s missing.
We complain about our lack of a vibrant, real relationship with God. We wish our church were bigger—or smaller. We wish we had a spouse. Or perhaps we wish we didn’t have a spouse. Or maybe we want to change our spouse.
Or we wish we could get a different job, a different boss, or a bigger paycheck. We wish we had more interesting work, more sensitive coworkers, or different hours.
We wish we could live in a different city, a different part of the city, or a different house. We complain about our furniture, our car, our stuff.
Stop the madness! This is not healthy. And do we really think this complaining spirit will lead to better relationships or more abundance? I don’t think so.
I’ve always given thanks when I pray, but often it’s just perfunctory. Now, I am trying to give thanks more deliberately. For the past few mornings, I’m spent almost my entire time on my commute doing this.
Let me challenge you to push the pause button and write down fifty things you are thankful for right now. Here’s my list:
- My relationship with God
- His constant presence with me and blessings in my life
- My relationship with Gail
- Twenty-eight years of marriage
- Gail’s constant support and encouragement
- Gail’s wisdom and timing
- Gail’s incredible parenting skills
- Gail’s sense of humor and her incredible servant’s heart
- Our home and the joy of sharing it with others
- My daughters and the varieties of their personalities
- Their love for Gail and for me
- Valentine’s Day—a very big holiday in our house
- The joy of laughing with Gail and the girls
- Megan’s new job in Boulder and all that she is learning
- Nathan’s love for Mindy and hers for him
- Mindy’s great example as a wife and mother
- The joy of being with Chris and Mary and how easy they are to just be around (can you say, “low maintenance”)
- Madeline’s experience in Switzerland and the fact that she is making some really great friends
- Madeline’s health
- The fact that Marissa always has a hug and a smile for her dad
- Marissa’s joy at getting a new MacBook
- My two granddaughters and the fun of watching them grow and explore
- The little town of Franklin and the fun of being able to walk to almost everything
- Meridee’s Bakery
- The history and legacy of Thomas Nelson
- What I learned from Sam Moore (the former CEO)
- The employees of Thomas Nelson and their commitment to our mission
- My executive leadership team and all they are teaching me
- Our authors and the opportunity to know such remarkable people
- The privilege of being in the publishing business
- The chance to work for an organization that is both a business and a ministry
- My job and the seemingly endless variety
- The fact that I have enough to eat today
- Vicki Parr, a GREAT assistant
- Dark chocolate
- The fact that I am warm, dry, and comfortable
- The fact that I am healthy and able to exercise regularly
- The YMCA and the great job they are doing in middle Tennessee
- The fact that I am in good shape and don’t have any physical ailments
- The fact that I live in a climate with four beautiful seasons
- The opportunity to go to the beach in March
- The opportunity to enjoy the beach with our family and some of our best friends
- The new Josh Grobin album
- The amazing resources available via the Internet
- My commute and the opportunity to pray during that time
- My church and the the people I have worshipped with for twenty-two years
- The leadership of my church with whom I have served for 20 years this Sunday
- The daffodils that are just beginning to poke their heads above the grass
- The light dusting of snow we had this morning
- The prospect of more snow this weekend
What’s on your list?
Technorati Tags: disciplines, giving thanks, leadership, motivation, relationships
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Yesterday’s post, Let it Go!, and today’s were particularly apropos…and are on my list for which to be thankful. I needed the reminder. A quote I once came across underscores your point: Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life and turns what we have into enough! I am not sure who wrote it.
Thanks for the reminder!
Think of how much more “mileage” we can get out of the blessings God provides to us if we will take the time and effort to meditate on the goodness of God and say “Thank You”.
What a wonderful way to start out Friday! I find that gratitude is a wonderful reminder of and path to humility and out springs compassion.
God bless you, you inspired me to do a list of my own on my blog!
I have a small rock with the words “The Lord is my Rock” painted on it, which has been sitting on my office desk. I just put it into my pocket. I’m going to start giving more gratitude for all of the wonderful people and things in my life.
Great idea on being thankful. Maybe a year ago or so, in our Catholic Children’s Mass (in Slovakia), the priest made a comment about everybody asking for things and nobody being thankful. In our nightly family prayers, I’ve made a habit of focusing on what I’m thankful for — a great wife, four great kids, and various other current or constant issues.
One can never be happy unless one practices being happy with what one has.
typo #23 missing “able” in: >> the fun of being to walk <<
Ringraziare
Stimolato dal sempre ricco blog di Mychael S. Hyatt mi sono fermato a pensare alle mille cose per cui tutti i giorni dovrei RINGRAZIARE. Non temete non sto avendo una deriva new age ma lattitudine a vedere il bicchiere mezzo pieno
I didn’t have a rock on hand, but I thought I’d try this. I took one of those little rubber bouncing balls out of my desk (we get them for our kids in those $.25 machines at Chinese buffets) and made a game out of thinking of something I’m grateful for every time I bounced it.
OK, it sounds silly, but it was very uplifting. We definitely don’t spend enough time thinking on gratitude.
We have experienced so many wonderful things since we have applied The Secret and the power of gratitude that we started an online company based on these things. MyGratitudeRocks.com is an online community and marketinplace for like-minded people looking to leverage the law of attraction and the power of gratitude to the fullest. We wish everyone here amazing success in all that you do. Tony and Cindy Roberts
Everyday when we wake,
a gift is given and we take.
Without notice or gratitude,
what seems expected the gifts, elude.
Only in loss, when it is too late,
we recognize and appreciate.
If only first, we see,
without the need of pain.
To notice every blessing,
to be thankful for our gain.
To greet each and every sunrise,
like an unexpected grace.
To accept every precious moment,
as a present to embrace.
god bless
Ringraziare
Stimolato dal sempre ricco blog di Mychael S. Hyatt mi sono fermato a pensare alle mille cose per cui tutti i giorni dovrei RINGRAZIARE. Non temete non sto avendo una deriva new age ma lattitudine a vedere il bicchiere mezzo pieno
I am so GRATEFUL and THANKFUL for your post and for sharing with all of us your wonderful GRATITUDE LIST.
Since I convinced my Subconscious mind that “I am a Money Magnet”, I am ALWAYS finding coins wherever I go. It is a universal reminder (and validation) that what I deeply believe I attract.
I took seven pennies (out of the many I found), the SHINIEST ones, I glued them back to back, and that is My Gratitude rock. I carry them in my pocket at all times, and I do exactly what YOU do: touch them and give thanks for the wonderful things coming my way all the time.
You give us the reminder that there are so many wonderful things we totally ignore in our daily RUSH.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!
Leo Foster
Thank you for your comments and list. I haven’t gotten brave enough to put my list on my blog yet. I will have to do it this week.(http://Tocobaga.blofspot.com)
I did put it on the wardrobe by the bed so I see it each morning when I get up. My gratitude rock is one I picked up on my favorite beach, where I will own a home soon.
Thanks!
Bob Lindstrom
Opps ! That blog is http://Tocobaga.blogspot.com
This post has stood the test of time.
What a beautiful update, thank you Michael!
You’ve inspired me. And I’m grateful for receiving this good from you:)
Thanks. I occasionally re-read it myself!