A Heart of Gratitude

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite weeks of the year. It is a time where we show “thanks” for the people, places, and things in our lives. We also give thanks for the challenges we face that make us stronger. Giving thanks, or appreciating what we have, is what holds relationships together.
 
In past articles, I have said that every person (spouse, child, client, and team member) wants to feel three things in their relationships – 

1. Feel appreciated
2. Feel important
3. Feel included

Good relationships are when both people feel these three things from the other person. Bad relationships are when one or more of these things are missing.
 
Going one level deeper, there is one ingredient needed to show your appreciation for others... and that is GRATITUDE.
 
Being grateful for what you have, especially the people in your lives, is the foundation for showing appreciation to others. Life is not so much about what you do, but who you do it with. If you are not grateful for what you have, you will always be seeking more in the pursuit of achievement and fulfillment. You will feel empty – in emotional survival mode. You will want more, more, more... and you will still feel empty.
 
Only once you pause, and reflect on how far you have come, and what you have in your life...... can you genuinely show appreciation for others. This is a great week to pause and give yourself a break from the race you regularly run. Find some time and write in your journal or on a piece of paper all of the things going well in your life. Think about how fortunate you are.
 
Once you really FEEL the gratitude for the relationships you have, then you will be able to genuinely appreciate others. And that, my friend, is the most important element of any relationship – personal or business.
 
Happy Thanksgiving to you, your family and friends!
 
I appreciate you very much for allowing me time each week to share ideas to help us all become better in our life, our business, and in our relationships.
 
Dave