I admit it… I am a Slacker!

By Paul | February 17, 2010 |

Today’s Burst talked about not being in alignment (if you don’t receive the Gratitude Burst each day, you can sign up for it in the Sign up box at the top upper-right corner of this page).

I start my day with thoughts of gratitude as the Opportunity Clock wakes me up. This is easy to do for me. It certainly is a habit – I am not slacking there.

However, there are times when I am dealing with certain people and I get frustrated with them. When I slip, I slip! Gratitude is far from my immediate thoughts. I know I should be grateful for having the opportunity to interact with them, but sometimes I just let that crazy feeling inside of me get out. I get ‘passionate’ about what is wrong. I get more excited about doing the right thing (or seeing them NOT do the right thing). I let myself completely get wrapped up in the frustration and I find myself moving 180 degrees in the wrong direction I want to be going.

Gratitude can be a way of life. It will allow many wonderful things to happen in your life if you let it. The key is to continually focus on it so you can reap the benefits. I need to take a deep cleansing breath the next time I find myself in that situation and think about how I can be grateful. I admit it… I am a slacker at times in this area. But, at least I admit it and I am working towards cleaning myself up.

Is there an area that you find yourself needing some work? Leave a comment.

Be Well.
Paul.
The Gratitude Guru

Posted in Gratitude

4 Comments

Esther on February 17, 2010 at 8:40 am

I understand exactly what you are saying…and it causes me to grin. It’s always “nice” to see that others can fall into old habits like I do. As I think about ways I slack in my gratitude, even that causes me to smile and be grateful because it happens so much less frequently then it ever used to. Being grateful for every minute of every day–even the moments when I’m whining–is something I try to feel all the time. However, I admit I sometimes get caught up in negative behavior when I’m around others who are whining or gossiping. I find myself often trying to “fit in” by pretending to support or understand their gripes and then feel the need to add some of my own as well, even if manufactured. It almost feels like I do it because that’s what “society” expects, and because it’s old, familiar behavior. Thank goodness, I only wallow in such behavior for a very short time before pulling mysel
f up short. It’s not a fun place to be and I would much rather be enjoying life to the fullest! Thank you for this opportunity to share my thoughts, however rambling they may be.

Wendy on February 17, 2010 at 11:33 am

Thank you for the reminder to focus on what I want and not on what I dislike. After a medical diagnosis I\’d rather not hear, I can forget that I am not 100% that diagnosis. I forget to be grateful for all that is well and good. I forget that I can choose my attitude and allow my feelings, gently, to follow.

Gratitude is such a beautiful to start–and continue–my day!

nancy on February 20, 2010 at 4:01 pm

I, too, thank you for the reminders. I feel as though I’ve been on an 18 month hiatus from gratitude and just jumped back on track in a big way. I lost my dad to cancer in August of ’08 and feel I’ll never be the same after losing that close relationship. Shortly after, I got my very close friend into Alcoholics Anonymous, and then she suddenly dropped me as a friend. She claims she cannot explain why she does not want to be friends anymore. I was devastated by the loss of these two people in my life and found it hard to be grateful. I cried over every little thing that happened to me, sending it all back to these two events and perpetuating my “pity party.” I have decided to give myself permission to grieve over what I’ve lost, but it’s time to be grateful for what I have, which is a lot. A wonderful husband, two great kids, and friends who recognize my despair and are helping me
realize that I can be ok. Not to mention the little things that are around me and all of us every day. I’m grateful I found this website, and that I now have reminders that even in bad times, there are things to remind me of the wonders in my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Paul on February 21, 2010 at 1:45 am

Ester, Wendy, and Nancy –

I appreciate each one of you for taking the time to comment and share your stories. Thank you for letting me provide some thoughts to get you to evaluate where you have been and where you are going.

Be Well.

Esther on February 17, 2010 at 8:40 am

I understand exactly what you are saying…and it causes me to grin. It’s always “nice” to see that others can fall into old habits like I do. As I think about ways I slack in my gratitude, even that causes me to smile and be grateful because it happens so much less frequently then it ever used to. Being grateful for every minute of every day–even the moments when I’m whining–is something I try to feel all the time. However, I admit I sometimes get caught up in negative behavior when I’m around others who are whining or gossiping. I find myself often trying to “fit in” by pretending to support or understand their gripes and then feel the need to add some of my own as well, even if manufactured. It almost feels like I do it because that’s what “society” expects, and because it’s old, familiar behavior. Thank goodness, I only wallow in such behavior for a very short time before pulling mysel
f up short. It’s not a fun place to be and I would much rather be enjoying life to the fullest! Thank you for this opportunity to share my thoughts, however rambling they may be.

Wendy on February 17, 2010 at 11:33 am

Thank you for the reminder to focus on what I want and not on what I dislike. After a medical diagnosis I\’d rather not hear, I can forget that I am not 100% that diagnosis. I forget to be grateful for all that is well and good. I forget that I can choose my attitude and allow my feelings, gently, to follow.

Gratitude is such a beautiful to start–and continue–my day!

nancy on February 20, 2010 at 4:01 pm

I, too, thank you for the reminders. I feel as though I’ve been on an 18 month hiatus from gratitude and just jumped back on track in a big way. I lost my dad to cancer in August of ’08 and feel I’ll never be the same after losing that close relationship. Shortly after, I got my very close friend into Alcoholics Anonymous, and then she suddenly dropped me as a friend. She claims she cannot explain why she does not want to be friends anymore. I was devastated by the loss of these two people in my life and found it hard to be grateful. I cried over every little thing that happened to me, sending it all back to these two events and perpetuating my “pity party.” I have decided to give myself permission to grieve over what I’ve lost, but it’s time to be grateful for what I have, which is a lot. A wonderful husband, two great kids, and friends who recognize my despair and are helping me
realize that I can be ok. Not to mention the little things that are around me and all of us every day. I’m grateful I found this website, and that I now have reminders that even in bad times, there are things to remind me of the wonders in my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Paul on February 21, 2010 at 1:45 am

Ester, Wendy, and Nancy –

I appreciate each one of you for taking the time to comment and share your stories. Thank you for letting me provide some thoughts to get you to evaluate where you have been and where you are going.

Be Well.

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