The 7 Impossibilities of Gratitude
Gratitude makes many bad things impossible.
The 7 impossibilities of gratitude:
#1. Worry.
You can’t worry and be grateful in the same moment.
Don’t worry about overcoming worry. Just notice and acknowledge benefit or advantage every day.
#2. Complaining.
You can’t complain and practice gratitude with the same breath.
Tip: Breathe in deeply and breathe out ‘thank you’ like a silent meditation.
#3. Anger.
You can’t be grateful and angry at the same time.
The next time you see red, look around for something to be grateful for.
#4. Bitterness.
You can’t be bitter and grateful at the same time.
How have painful relationships expanded your ability to contribute?
#5. Hate.
Hate can’t co-habit with healthy gratitude. (Gratitude can be unhealthy.)
If you hate your job, team, or boss, find something in each to be grateful for. Maybe you’re grateful your boss is out of town.
#6. Helplessness.
Helplessness runs horrified from gratitude.
Gratitude in turbulence is power.
#7. Pessimism.
Pessimism cowers before gratitude.
I dare you to be pessimistic in the same moment you’re practicing gratitude.
Michael J. Fox on optimism, gratitude, and misery:
“Optimism is really rooted in gratitude,” Fox said. “Optimism is sustainable when you keep coming back to gratitude, and what follows from that is acceptance. Accepting that this thing has happened, and you accept it for what it is. It doesn’t mean that you can’t endeavor to change. … Then see how much the rest of your life you have to thrive in, and then you can move on.” Michael Fox
Misery.
“I discovered that it was (misery) that I wasn’t recognizing the people around me and what they were doing and how they were behaving toward me and each other. And how grateful I was for them and how grateful they were for me. And it just opened my eyes.” Michael Fox
What attitudes or actions leave your leadership when you practice gratitude?
Bonus material:
Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e90IiapIZw
all the seven behaviours are a product of disturbance, can we say? One spiritual leader summarised, Gratitude and disturbance cannot co-exist.
your elaborate detailing helps to understand this better. Thank you Dan.
Thanks Nagarajan. I see what you’re saying. Perhaps gratitude is the path to serenity?
I’m not sure…
Frankly, I’m not sure serenity is always a good thing? The times I have been “disturbed” are often part of growth.
Thanks Dan.. being balanced (serenity) ?
Yes Growth always comes out of discomfort with current situation.. you are right. Disturbance helps growth..
I have been thankful a boss or bosses were out of town many times in my career. I always loved working the Wednesday and Friday around Thanksgiving because of that. And funny thing, we didn’t need tons of emails and meetings to figure out who was bringing the TV to watch our favorite game.
Thanks Lyn. Great seeing you here today. It’s fun to have fun. :-)… Perhaps bosses could have fun too.