2024 Summer Miles #3

 2024 Summer Miles #3

Hello runners! These past few months I have been experiencing a bulge in a disc in my back and I’m telling you that the PAIN is real fun? NOT. I have always been an active person. Those that have had my class run the past few years know that I like to get out and run. This has been a very difficult process, not being able to perform life’s normal activities without experiencing pain like I have never felt before.

Needless to say, it has been very humbling. I’ve been focusing on all the things I’m not able to do, instead I should have been focusing on the things that I can still do. I have decided to be grateful for the things that I have in my life, along with being grateful for the things I’m still able to do.

I appreciate the opportunity of coaching this team and for the memories and relationships I have been honored to be a part of. This team and these kids are amazing, and they have ALL had a positive major impact on my life. Below are some thoughts that have been weighing heavily on my mind and in my heart.

PLEASE take some time to reflect and be grateful for the many wonderful things that you have in your life. Tell others how grateful you are for them being in your life. Expressing your gratitude daily.  Surround yourself with likeminded people. When you surround yourself with people who practice gratitude, your gratitude and appreciation grow. Take ownership of where you are now. When you take ownership of the present moment, you choose to be grateful.  You choose to be optimistic and positive about the present. Committing to gratitude practice helps you understand why you appreciate certain things rather than others.  You also get to see the positive effect your gratitude has on others.

An attitude of gratitude.

Here are 5 ways to develop an attitude of gratitude:

1. Appreciate everything 

To cultivate an attitude of gratitude, look for things to appreciate daily.  Developing active gratitude is different from reactive gratitude.

With reactive gratitude, you wait for something to happen before you express appreciation or thanks.

With active gratitude, you consciously look for ways to be grateful and express appreciation.  Expressing gratitude becomes a choice.

When you express gratitude daily, the things and people you appreciate grow in value.  You also start to see more things to be grateful for, which makes you happier and more content.

By appreciating everything, you will have far more gratitude in your life which increases positivity and happiness. Being a positive, grateful person attracts other people into your life who have a similar mindset.

2. Express gratitude every day 

To cultivate an attitude of gratitude, it’s important to express gratitude daily, rather than on occasion.

Developing a gratitude practice of acknowledging what you’re thankful for or appreciate every day, will expand the value of the things you are grateful for.

Increasing gratitude starts with setting up your day to be thankful.  Good gratitude practice is to start and end each writing down three things you’re grateful for.

Expressing gratitude daily builds positive habits, and forces you to appreciate every day, even if you’ve had a bad day.

The repeated process of expressing gratitude daily helps to deepen relationships, improves your self-care practice and gives you time to think and be present.

Developing a gratitude practice may seem strange or difficult at first.  After a few days, it gets easier to identify and express gratitude for the things you’re grateful for.

3. Surround yourself with gratitude mindset focused people

To develop an attitude of gratitude, it’s important to surround yourself with people who also have a gratitude mindset.

When you surround yourself with people who practice gratitude, your gratitude and appreciation grow.  You feel happier, more positive, more energized, and more motivated when you spend more time in a positive environment.

If you spend time with negative people or people with a scarcity mindset, you’re more likely to have a similar mindset.

Find people who are grateful and appreciative and spend more time with them.  Take your gratitude practice to the next level by sending handwritten letters or notes to those people saying how much you appreciate them.

4. Take ownership of your present  

Developing an attitude of gratitude starts with appreciating and giving thanks for what you have.  Being happy about what you’ve achieved and giving thanks to the people in your life increases your gratitude.

When you take ownership of the present moment, you choose to be grateful.  You choose to be optimistic and positive about the present.

When you are grateful for your present situation, you can reframe how you think about what’s important right now.  This will help you get clear on the future you want to create.

When you take ownership of the present, you focus on achievements and the progress you’ve made in your life.  A positive mindset reframes negative thoughts and builds confidence from past accomplishments.

When you express gratitude, feelings of anger, guilt, and self-pity stop.  They are replaced by feelings of self-confidence and self-worth.  This also builds positivity and excitement.

When we feel grateful, we make decisions and communicate more effectively.  We also take action to create the life we want.

5. Commit to a gratitude practice 

When you commit to daily gratitude, practice your mindset and thinking change.  When you appreciate things that matter, you get more insight into what’s important to you.

This gives you a chance to pause and think about your purpose.  You get clear on why things are important and why certain things and people are valuable to you.

Committing to gratitude practice helps you understand why you appreciate certain things rather than others.  You also get to see the positive effect your gratitude has on others.

Conclusion

Start an attitude of gratitude by choosing to appreciate the most important things in your life.  You can start practicing gratitude by writing down three things you’re grateful for each day.

When you express gratitude, a gratitude habit develops that will change your life.  An attitude of gratitude also ensures you feel happier, more positive, and more excited.

The value of the people that matter most will appreciate.  This ensures you appreciate them even more.