Episode 154: Gratitude is the ability to experience life as a gift. It liberates us from the prison of self-preoccupation.

Episode #154 — More Gratitude, Less Platitude

A search for quotes about gratitude will yield an endless scroll-parade of images leaving your screen sticky from sugary platitudes. Ewww! And just like my late-night study-snack stockpile in the 1980s: all sweet, no substance.

Yes. Gratitude is good. We all get that. Let’s move on …

I’m most curious about the practical side: By choosing, or leaning into, or practicing gratitude, what gets replaced, supplanted, crowded out?

“Gratitude is the ability to experience life as a gift.
It liberates us from the prison of self-preoccupation.”
— John Ortberg

Now we’re talking! We humans are inherently preoccupied with ourselves. And that was before COVID, before lockdown, before work-from-home, before school-from-home … before cabin-fever. Now our preoccupation has been amplified.

I know that, for me, turning my attention and intention onto the things for which I am grateful — no matter how large or small, significant or seemingly trivial — I feel an energetic rise that feeds and recharges me.

I find I have renewed fuel for connection.

I find I have more energy for even the most difficult things on my plate.

I even find I have more energy for and willingness to tackle those things that scare the daylights out of me.

Now THAT’s something for which I can truly be grateful!

And so the cycle feeds on itself …

Where can gratitude shift your world?

JOIN THE CONVERSATION!