Share the Love

Last weekend I read an article in Magnolia Journal written by NY Times best-selling author of Love Does. The article is titled "Time for Gratitude." I wasn't feeling particularly grateful as I started to read the piece. Something about Bob Goff's giant grin on the first page made me want to read it. By the 2nd paragraph, I was all in. He states:

"We all want the same things in life -- love, acceptance, and connection."

His parable on gratitude involves an exchange he had years ago with musician, Keith Green, who gave Bob Goff his time and attention before he died in a tragic airplane accident. His message is that we should all seek to multiply love in the lives of people around us. Bob's instructions are simple -- if we live life looking for hope and joy, we will find it.

Near the end of this amazing article, Bob Goff talks about pain and loss, with a kind reflection that everyone can relate to. When something bad happens, it hurts. The reactions we have to the hurt define who we really are:

"Let gratefulness be your trusted guide. Follow its footsteps, and it will lead each of us to kindness, patience, and wisdom. It will also lead us back to each other. It takes guts to be grateful if your world has been filled with hurt."

Regardless of your political views, spiritual position, or national origin -- this is a time of great hurt in our World. There is so much injustice and unfairness. People are oppressed and mistreated due to race, gender, faith, and too many other factors.

Bob Goff's touching article, current events, and my continual study of leadership lead me to this conclusion: We have no choice but to choose gratitude. Author Alex Haley said, "Find the good -- and praise it." I want to be someone who lives by this motto. I want to feel love, acceptance, and connection. I need to be grateful for the people in my life and let them continually feel important and valued.

Hopefully people close to me and some complete strangers see this message today and feel motivated to shift their thinking, focus on gratitude, and multiply love in the lives of others... want to join me?