What are you most grateful for this Christmas?
Hilary Rowland
Executive and business coach, Ikigai expert #ikigai #executivecoaching #businesscoaching #career transitions
I often think about a time when my son was about six and after opening all his presents came over and whispered, ‘Father Christmas is you and Daddy isn’t it?’ Not wanting to destroy the magic too soon I provided some flannel about the spirit of giving, but he stopped me and said, ‘I just want someone to thank.’ Lovely boy who has grown up to be a lovely man!
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Being grateful can make such a difference to our frame of mind. I have to confess with all that is going on in the world, the time of year, the weather, the economy, keeping a business going I’m finding it hard to stay positive. Gratitude can change our mindset and enable us to see ways round all the difficulties/
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One antidote I was given in a stress management workshop is to imagine a scale of 1 – 100 with 100 being living in Ukraine/ Gaza/ Sudan, take your pick, and then place yourself on the scale. It’s hard to get above 10 I usually find! For all the problems in our country there is a lot to be grateful for.
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Gratitude also reminds us how much others have given or done for us. It takes our eyes off ourselves on to those around us. When was the last time you thanked your staff, or appreciated your partner for all the ways in which they support you?
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But we should also look around and focus on all that we have. I’m enormously grateful for my health, having had breast cancer a few years ago, and hugely grateful for the revolutionary treatment I had at the time and the consultant who treated me. I have a lovely husband, and wonderful members of the family put together from our previous marriages.
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I’m grateful that I have survived dark days and come out on the other side. I’m grateful for the next stage of my life and all I can do to shape that. I’m grateful for all the great people I’ve ever worked with who taught me so much and without whom I would be a shadow of what I am now.
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Where are you going to start with charting your gratitude this Christmas?
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Whatever you have planned, may it be all you hope for. Happy Christmas!
Being in good health.