The Truth About Gratitude

I don’t want this to be just another post about gratitude, where I tell you this is a good time of year to be grateful.

I want to take it a little further with a quick story.

When I started teaching Shrink Session years ago, the attendance in my classes was kind of hit or miss.

Sometimes I would have 30-40 people in class, which thrilled me.

But every now and then, I would only get about 15 people. Which bummed me out.

When the classes were smaller, I’m not sure I did a great job of hiding my disappointment. Mostly because I thought the lack of people meant something about my own lack.

I am not good enough.
People don’t like this.
Maybe I am failing.

A few times, I made this huge mistake.

I started to realize that by thinking, “Where is everyone? There are not enough people here,” I was actually being extremely disrespectful to the people that WERE there.

I mean, there were 15 beautiful souls in the room, waiting and wanting me to lead them in feeling energized, confident and wonderful in their bodies.

And by focusing on who was NOT there, it was sort of a big ‘screw you’ to the people that actually showed up.

Do you understand what I’m saying?

I might as well have turned to a student and said, “You are not enough, ‘Rachel.’ I would be much more satisfied if there were 15 more of you.”

There is no way that made ‘Rachel’ feel good. Or valued. Or appreciated.

Once I recognized this, I changed my tune and my teaching changed as well.

So to me, this is what gratitude is really about. It’s about focusing on what you DO have and honoring the heck out of it.

It is about making the people and things that you DO have in your life, feel like kings, queens and treasured items! (Yes, I think your things feel when you appreciate them!)

My friend, what you appreciate, appreciates.

What you appreciate grows, develops and becomes bigger.

And, when we honor what we DO have, life simply becomes sweeter. In every way.

It’s just the way it goes. And to me, THAT is what gratitude is really about.

So, with that dear Gorgeous, I just want you to know how much I appreciate you allowing me space in your inbox, and for taking the time to put your eyeballs on these words, and frankly any words of mine you read.

And while we may have never met in person, you are certainly a treasure in my life.

If you are celebrating, may you enjoy this holiday season and may your heart be filled with gratitude and thankfulness for all that you DO have.

I invite you to leave a comment below and share what or who you are appreciating, today. It’s always good to name it concretely. And then, of course even better to go out into the world to show it.

With love,
Erin