The Power of Gratitude

"To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven." - Johannes A. Gaertner

This week, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, which began as a simple gathering in 1621 and became a national holiday instituted by George Washington in 1789. It has evolved into one of the few annual celebrations observed by most Americans.?

That first Thanksgiving lasted three days and included survivors of the Mayflower, other settlers, and approximately 90 Native American?Wampanoag ?people. Participants expressed gratitude for a good harvest and the opportunity to live in a free country, as they knew firsthand the cost of that freedom.?

Gratitude is one of those virtues that seems easy to describe yet challenging to practice. We all know to say "Thank you" when others do something nice for us, like holding the door as we walk through or paying us a compliment. Our response tends to be automatic and without meaning, as it's more of a social norm than an expression of how we feel in the moment.?

Genuine gratitude can only come from a place of humility. Only when we recognize that we don't deserve anything will we start to appreciate what we have been given. Humility comes from knowing who we are and having an honest opinion of ourselves. This can be highly challenging in a world that continues to tell us how much the world revolves around us.?

As a leader, it's easy to assume that the team exists to serve your needs and goals. After all, you have the position and responsibility to lead the team. This thinking can lead you to believe your needs surpass the team's. The reality is that you can only accomplish your goal if the team achieves theirs. Everyone on your team is free to refrain from showing up or participating. You should be grateful for their active decision to join the team daily. It doesn't mean that you don't hold them accountable, but the focus should be on empowering them to achieve their goals vs yours.?

Do a quick scan of your emails, texts, or other communication with your team for the past week. What was the balance of requests vs. moments of appreciation? Were you actually expressing your gratitude, or was it a mere formality? If your team were asked, "When was the last time your leader told you how grateful they were for you?" what would they say? Would your answer align with theirs? It may be time to tell them how grateful you are for their work, commitment, and willingness to follow you as their leader.?

Lastly, a suggestion for the big meal this Thursday. While there may be a significant focus on how the turkey, trimmings, or dessert turns out, try putting the emphasis on those around the table. You can always eat a perfectly prepared meal at a high-end restaurant, but it won't mean as much if your loved ones aren't with you. If the turkey is dry, your experimental dish that looked so easy to make online is a disaster, and your favorite team loses their game, don't let that steal the focus of the day. It's a time to be grateful for who is in your life and what you have been given. That's the reason why we gather together on Thanksgiving.?

I am very grateful to all of you who read and comment on my weekly articles. Please feel free to share what you are thankful for in the comments.?

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