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The Happiness Advantage

We had our yearly retreat yesterday for work and the theme of the event was Happiness/Customer Service & building an environment you enjoy working in. These are all things that could use a lift in my current position, so I thought the topics were timely. I was particularly struck by the morning session which featured a video by Shawn Achor titled, "The Happiness Advantage" -- (see more here (here)). One of the things he suggested that you do to become a happier person is practice a new habit for 21 straight days. For example, exercise, meditation, or the one I chose to start doing, 3 Gratitudes.

So, for the next 21 days (and hopefully I can do this on the weekends, from home...or somewhere, since we don't have internet at home right now), I'm hoping to blog my daily 3 gratitudes to help me remember that I've got a LOT to be thankful for. What a perfect time of year to sit back and reflect. So...without further ado, here goes nothing....

Today I am thankful for:
1.) My husband and his work ethic. Jason works tirelessly to provide for our family. He not only works a full time job, but seeks out additional opportunities so that he can provide a quality of life for our children that they should never have to go without.

2.) My kids and their uncanny ability to make me proud. Just when I've had it up to HERE with Colton and his arguing or and his nearly 4 year old attitude or Emmalyn and her whining, I find him helping her get dressed this morning and being proud as punch for doing so. Not to mention, she follows him everywhere they go. I'm thankful beyond thanks for my children. My world would not be without them in it.

3.) I'm thankful to have a job. I find myself complaining about this or that with my job, and there are days that the complaints are warranted, but over the course of the next 21 days, I'm going to remind myself to be thankful that I even have a job. Thankful that I'm able to bring home any kind of paycheck and that I should be doing more with what we have, to help those less fortunate.

So, they may seem like obvious things to be thankful for on this first day, but we all always need reminders that it's the littlest things we do or say that make or break the passing of an average day. Hearts like doors will open with ease with two very little keys, and two of these are "I thank you, and if you please".

Comments

  1. I'm sure you will do great with your new challenge, and I pray that it always brings happiness and brightens your day. You are truly blessed with the beautiful family you have. It's a great place to start giving thanks.

    ps - love the new look on the blog; plus, I don't know what you did differently, but I'm now able to see the security "phrase" to leave comments!

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