I practice gratitude. Every morning and every night I practice gratitude. I list three things I’m grateful for each morning and I list three things I’m grateful for each evening. I try to do this daily. I’m not successful every day, but most days I hit it. I encourage others to practice gratitude and I try to show it to those around me as often as possible without it coming off as fake or sucking up. FYI…it’s never about sucking up…I’m always genuinely grateful.
Yes, some days it’s hard. Some days I’m grateful for coffee, peanut butter and sleep. But hey, I’m still grateful. Other days I could write a book.
Recently I’ve been struggling with the lack of gratitude from others. The lack of thank you’s, the lack of appreciation and oddly enough, an increase in demands and expectations. I’ve been frustrated and yes, angry because my gratitude to the universe has not been reciprocated. I’ve been pissed at gratitude.
Weird.
I give gratitude. I demonstrate gratitude. I encourage it. I live and breathe it. So, why the heck am I not receiving it in return? Don’t I deserve it? Are people so busy and self-involved that they don’t take the time to say “Hey thanks for that! That was awesome!”? When do I receive the freakin’ gratitude?!
And there…there’s where I’ve gone wrong. I’ve placed the importance of receiving gratitude in front of giving it. I’ve forgotten that not everyone practices gratitude the way I do and yes, although thank you should be an ingrained response when something is given, the lack of it shouldn’t affect me the way it has.
I need to remember that I don’t give gratitude to receive gratitude. I give gratitude because I mean it. Because I want others to feel appreciated, honored and respected. The big takeaway for me as I muddle my way through my feelings is that I am taking my power back from gratitude.
I love this quote from Tony Robbins:
Instead of wondering why I’m not receiving gratitude the way I was hoping, I’m not only going to keep giving it out to others but I’m also going to give it to myself. I’m going to be proud of the way I handle myself, my family, my business, my life. I’m going to continue to be grateful and voice my gratitude because it makes me feel good and because I am genuinely grateful.
I will no longer validate my life by kind words said to me or about me. I will realize that people have busy, busy lives and I play a small role in those lives. I will accept that gratitude is shown in various ways and it doesn’t necessarily need to be the way I show it. People are busy. Life is busy. I’m finding grace in gratitude.
It’s a big learn when you finally figure out that your value, worth and dedication is not dictated by others saying thank you or showing gratitude.
I will continue to honour and respect those around me in the way I choose and I’m certain they are doing the same. I will find grace in my frustration and be grateful for this lesson (see what I did there?).
I’m learning and I’m growing. But, growth is hard and it certainly takes time. So I will also give myself grace and allow the emotions to come over me…and then turn them into something positive.
I will continue to write about my own gratitude and I expect nothing but my own satisfaction and warmth in my soul for doing so. That’s the purpose right? I am grateful. For you. For my family. For my business. For being me…through all my emotions (right or wrong), I am grateful for this life.
I’m finally learning that gratitude is the giving and not the receiving that warms your soul. So, take some time today and give yourself a little gratitude. Make yourself feel valued and loved. Gratitude shouldn’t be an expectation of others. Soak it in when you get it but keep your power. Because no matter what, you’re amazing and you should tell yourself exactly that! Go you!