Gratitude

Each morning we get to make a choice. Ideally, we hop out of bed well rested and ready to seize the day with enthusiasm coursing through our veins.  But with the never-ending barrage of sensationalized headlines and disasters – both natural and intentional, it’s easy to feel like we're constantly waking up on the wrong side of the bed.  Negativity seeps into our timelines 140 characters at a time before our feet even hit the floor.  After all, the proverbial cup is destined to be half-empty if we can't move forward without being violently thrown off balance by yet another piece of bad news.   

In today's world, where selfies and self-promotion seem to be more prevalent than self-reflection, finding the good in society can sometimes feel like running in quicksand. The harder you try, the deeper you sink. But in reality, while we can't control much of what happens around us, we can certainly choose how we decide to respond. In fact, neuroscience supports that the human brain adapts based on our thoughts and actions, and is always learning which neural connections need to be strengthened - a process called neuroplasticity. In other words, we are constantly training our brains based on how we use them, and we are active participants in how we choose to perceive the world. At a recent Warriors executive retreat, our facilitator Jim Kochalka introduced us to a profound yet simple concept. He termed it "micro-moments of gratitude", which simply means that we should focus on the little things in life that make us happy. After all, Rome was not built in a day. But rather, brick by brick, we should focus on the important and easy-to-identify things in life we appreciate.  Perhaps it's the deeply personal and unconditional love that a child demonstrates with a hug. Perhaps it's the sweet smell of freshly cut grass or that first cup of hot coffee on a cold, dark morning. Or perhaps it's simply knowing that there are people in your life who care about your happiness. Whatever they are, focus on and be grateful for these things. There is brilliance all around us and yet we've walled ourselves off, hoping the next barrage of bad news will fly by us at night. But by practicing micro-moments of gratitude, we can change our perspective and response. Like any learned skill, seeing the good can become habitual over time.  

Think about how you feel when you are truly grateful for something. It can be an incredibly euphoric feeling, and people around you notice. It's easy to get wrapped up in a moment of gratitude. It's magnetic and infectious, and can quickly spread like laughter rippling through a crowd.  Let's take ownership of this feeling. Let's assume positive intent and the best in others. Let's appreciate effort and recognize the journey instead of pointing fingers and finding fault in results. Let's acknowledge the difficulties around us but refuse to let them define us. Let's use "thank you" as a rallying cry to spread optimism and hope.

So as we approach Thanksgiving, I urge you to take a few minutes to reflect on all of the good in your life. For me, it's the opportunity to work for an incredible organization that surrounds me with colleagues and friends that push me to be the best. It's working in an industry that connects, inspires, evokes passion, and provides a platform for positive change. And it's my incredible family, that I love more than anything and without which nothing else matters.  

I have so much to be grateful for, and I understand that with these gifts comes a great responsibility. I cannot allow myself to fall victim to negative thoughts I can control just because something doesn't break my way. I need to remind myself that obstacles, with just a slight change in perception, can be repurposed as opportunities. And I need to believe that I can make a difference. So with that, I hope you are also able to take the time to acknowledge all of the good in your life, and take ownership of spreading gratitude as an agent of positive change. Please know that I am grateful for the impact you have on me. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.