An Attitude of Gratitude

I’m sure many of you are dragging a bit as you read this, considering we are coming off a nice Thanksgiving holiday break where there was plenty of free time and plenty of sleep in your day. It is easy on a day like today to start off negatively and look at the downside of going back to work or getting back to a routine when we have had so much freedom and change in the last week. I’m sure many people are looking forward to the upcoming Christmas break, but there are still almost 4 weeks before we get to that point.

Coming off a Thanksgiving holiday where we all gave “thanks” for the many blessings we have, I hope we will all start the week (and a new month) with an “attitude of gratitude” instead by thinking about all of the positive things and people we have in our lives and show an appreciation for what we have. Don’t think about how you “have to” go back to work, instead think of who you get to work with and what you can accomplish during the day. Be grateful for good health and the ability to work, instead of being laid up or in a hospital and incapacitated. Be thankful for the family you have and were able to visit with over break, instead of missing them and wishing you could go back to the times over Thanksgiving.

Ultimately, it comes down to our attitude and how we perceive things. We always control our attitude and how we react to events. We have to be intentional about thinking about our reactions to people and to events, but we clearly have control. Why not react with gratitude and thanks more often, instead of focusing on the negative side of things? This is not an easy thing to do-trust me, I have experienced enough of that feeling lately-but it is a skill that can be practiced and improved on with time and commitment.

I found the clip below on X from new University of Kentucky men’s basketball coach, Mark Pope, talking to his team about gratitude and how grateful people are more joyous people long term. I hope you will check it out and apply it to your life. It can only make this challenging day-and weeks to come-more positive and prosperous for you all. I am extremely grateful for each of you who take the time to read my newsletter and appreciate the kind words I have received from a number of you-it means a lot and I’m glad the newsletter is having a positive impact. Have a great week!

Coach K