One of the things I love most about developing an attitude of gratitude is the realization that thinking positively puts us in a positive mindset which spurs the positive actions that lead to positive outcomes. I call this “gratitude in action.” Thinking negatively puts us in a negative mindset which spurs negative actions which … hmmm, no need to spell this one out any further. We all know where this downward spiral goes, we have all been there.
A simple example of “gratitude in action” from my own life: On Veteran’s Day, my husband and I took a blessed day off and drove about an hour north of our home to Calistoga, CA. We got a spa day pass and spent the afternoon in the mineral tubs and relaxing poolside. We took a moment to share with each other how grateful we were to have the day off and to have found a place that we could go just for the day (a huge cost savings) and how blessed we were to have such a warm sunny afternoon, which can be a miracle once the rainy season takes hold in November.
My husband, Jim, who is our resident cartographer, doesn’t like to go anywhere without his maps. Before we left the house and again at the resort, Jim said it sure would be nice to have a map of Calistoga to plan the rest of the day’s outing. We checked in the lobby, no maps left. Had we not just taken a gratitude moment, he may have felt discouraged that we had gone off for the day so unprepared and it might have cast a pall on the rest of our rarely taken and much needed day off together.
Instead we looked at each other; Jim shrugged and said it had been such a great day, even if he did not get to add a Calistoga map to his collection, and how much he was looking forward to our late lunch. I replied, “Yes, I am starving, let’s go eat.” We asked the lady at the spa check-out desk where to eat and she sent us to a wonderful deli within a five minute walk of the spa.
As we happily tucked into the most fabulous cilantro, jalapeno, corn, carrot, tuna salad sandwiches with sprouts and dill pickles on sun dried tomato focaccia bread, we spied a couple at the next table planning their Calistoga itinerary with just the Calistoga map Jim desired.
I walked over and asked the couple where they had located the map. The husband said that they found the map at the visitor’s center which was now closed. He looked at his wife and she said, “We have planned out our day, we are done with the map and we would love for you to have it.”
As I walked back to the table where my husband Jim was enjoying his sandwich, Calistoga map in hand, I saw a big grin break out on his face. He spent the rest of our lunch, charting out our course to include a slow leisurely way back complete with window shopping, and stopping at newly discovered wineries and, finally, a great dinner.
My husband and I realized that reviewing the highlight of our day and looking forward to the rest of our outing, with no attachments to how it “should have been,” we were free to enjoy the surprises and gifts the day offered.
If you are not in the “gratitude in action” mode or just got out of the habit:
- Before you go to bed each night, list three good things that happened that day and how they felt to you…kind of like watching the trailer of the movie-with the highlights magnified.
- Each morning list three things you are looking forward to for the upcoming day and how you anticipate feeling…what I call “playing it forward.”
- Then just let go of any preconceived outcomes.
See what happens. You may be in for some wonderful surprises.
Enjoy!
