The Power of Gratitude

Life is exhausting, whether it’s your commute, never catching up on emails, trying to juggle everything at once, or the million other things that I haven’t mentioned. To get everything done, you need energy. Do you notice some people, whether friends, family, or co-workers, seem to have more energy than you? I bet a few of them are quite productive. They just get it done. Give them a project, they can handle it. Some call it mojo.   

While I certainly don’t profess I have a magic bullet, I do have a path that I have used myself and shared with others. I’m not talking about a kick-in-the-pants rah-rah self-speech, but something more subtle. What I am about to share with you is one of the simplest ways I found to get more energy, inspiration, or zeal in getting things done. Not only more energy but a way to improve your mental state. A way to find a hidden reserve tank.

Are you ready? Ok, here it is:

Shift your attitude to gratitude.

I know. I know. Too simple, right? But here’s the thing. It works! But it’s like a muscle that needs to be built up, but once you get going, it’s magic! Let me elaborate, but first, let’s start with definitions.

Attitude:  a mental position, feeling, or emotion toward a fact or state.

Gratitude: a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation.

As many of us know, our attitudes are thoughts that we choose. So, let’s change them. If we can consciously decide to change, why not for the better? What I am suggesting is intentionally shifting into an “attitude of gratitude.” To start, I recommend at least three minutes each day for a week. Even better, three minutes a day for a month. Three minutes is a minimal investment of time for an amazing return on investment. It’s like adding energy to your bank.  

Let’s make it easy to start. Whether you are stuck in traffic, or taking a shower, there are moments when you have time to think. Let’s put this time to use to start thinking about what you are grateful for. For most of us, we have had an experience that overwhelms us. Just thinking about it makes you feel defeated. You could just feel your energy drain away, creating the urge to binge on Netflix movies or Cheetos all day, or all month, or all year. We’ve all been there. For me, I needed to practice what I preach. For example:

My husband, son, and I rented a small, two-bedroom apartment in one of the most expensive cities in the country, Seattle (for those of you unfamiliar with Seattle, it’s crazy expensive). The thought of us buying a house was at times ridiculously misplaced. To find the resources, the will, and of course, the energy to find an affordable house seemed monumental. Then COVID hit and everything (as we all know) came to a standstill. Instead of feeling defeated, I took on an attitude of gratitude. I felt grateful to be healthy (even though I got COVID), to be closer to my family nestled and cozy in our tiny living space, to have friends who cared about me, and to have a private practice that was flourishing. I continued to look for a house with this air of gratitude and felt confident something was going to shift. During that time, interest rates came crashing down, and equally important, so did down payments. There was possibility in the air. I found an amazing real estate agent who had the inside track. Sure enough, a house came on the market within our price range with an eager buyer. We scooped it up before it even went on the market, thus avoiding a bidding war. Escrow was smooth as could be and within two months, I was in my new home. I’m so grateful for what I have BUT what got me there was a being in gratitude during the journey.

An attitude of gratitude works when we look deeply at what is occurring in our lives, especially when we are overwhelmed.  By shifting to gratitude, we find a heightened sense of awareness. We feel a stronger connection to everyone and everything. Not only do we feel more energetic, but we also feel good. We feel lucky.

Naturally, around the holidays, especially Thanksgiving, we feel especially grateful. But an attitude of gratitude is best year-round. A good way to start is through journaling. Begin with the qualities and characteristics we love about our lives and the people who are in them. You might be surprised that this is a great way to jumpstart your attitude and feel an energy boost. And when you think about it, isn’t there so much to be grateful for?

This journaling exercise was helpful to a friend of mine, Donna, who was on holiday with her husband, Andy. On this particular day, he couldn’t do anything right in her eyes. Poor guy. He dressed wrong, said the wrong things, or he had the wrong facial expressions?!? She was even considering not going to the theater that evening because she didn’t want to be around him. Andy had to run an errand and she knew she needed an attitude adjustment. Donna grabbed a sheet of paper and began writing down all the things she appreciated about him. She was clear about all the things that irritated her, but focusing on them wasn’t getting her the results or experience she wanted. In less than two minutes of writing, she was feeling love, gratitude, and appreciation for him. Andy returned to the room twenty minutes later and received a much different homecoming had Donna not written the list. Magic! And yes, she felt vibrant, meaning she had more energy.

Can you think of a relationship of yours that could benefit from a couple of minutes of journaling? Is the relationship worth it? I hope so.

We are busy and distracted. We don’t make the time or energy to intentionally focus on what we are grateful for often enough. Taking only a few minutes a day and putting yourself into an attitude of gratitude can give you more energy and help you learn more about yourself. 

If journaling is not for you, consider instead asking yourself these types of questions. What is most important to me? Where am I truly generous? What am I grateful for today? Who touches my heart deeply? How do I want to make a difference? Who makes a difference in my life? What small things make me happy? What big things make me happy? What am I looking forward to that will make me happy? What does my body do right?

You’ll notice some of those questions lend themselves to being of service more than a feeling of gratitude directly. Gratitude and being of service have a beautiful reciprocal relationship. I know when I am being of service to another, I am grateful for that opportunity to do so, and often I am reminded of just how much abundance/privilege/opportunity I have. A perfect place to go is Africa (see my blog: I Dreamnt of Africa) or India. If you want to feel gratitude, explore these wonderful, yet impoverished locations. I was blessed to meet and learn from amazing people who had so much less than I did but had a song in their heart and fight in their spirit. It’s impossible not to come home and feel gratitude that manifests in energy, productivity, and accomplishment.

These are only a couple of ways to ensure you have energy. Remember that part about us all being connected? We have an impact on each other, especially you. Having a higher frequency in attitude cascades and sends ripples throughout your community and inspires others along the way. While energetically you will improve, you’ll make a difference along the way. And isn’t that what we all want?

I would love to hear what you think of changing your attitude to gratitude. What is your rocket fuel? Send me an email at michellewoodward11@gmail.com and let me know your story.

Shine Bright!