Gratitude and Action – A Recipe For True Happiness

posted 14th April 2010    Written by: Katie    CATEGORY: Katie, Quarterlife Crisis, Season 2, Tips & Tools, What I've Learned

Gratitude is often like a holiday, it comes once a year. When you think of Thanksgiving, surely the first thing you think of is thankfulness and gratitude. Well, and turkey.

But overall, it’s the day when we get with the ones closest to us and celebrate how thankful we are for each other (and turkey!) and we practice that feeling of gratitude all day.

This past Thanksgiving for me was one of the worst days that I can remember. I cooked dinner for myself and my father – a Turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes (!!!!), lima beans, green beans, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce – you name it, it was made. He stayed in bed most of the day, and when he did get up, he went over to a friend’s house instead of eating what I had made.

I stopped looking at the meal that I had made as an accomplishment, and turned it into something that “wasn’t good enough” – a feeling I’ve had since I was in my early teens. To make it all even worse, it was on THANKSGIVING – the day when you are supposed to be with the ones you love, and give thanks for the things you have.

Add that to the things that I blamed myself for.

For the duration of the day, I picked apart everything that I had done, both with the dinner, and things that had nothing to do with the situation at all. “Why didn’t I finish school?!” “Why did I let things with The Ex fall apart?” “Why am I gaining weight?”  The ideas ranged in topic – but they all had one toxic thing in common: They all focused on things about myself that I found to be negative, but wasn’t doing anything about. Each thing that I thought about was something that I felt the need to complain about, but couldn’t muster up the courage or desire to make a change.

I was so comfortable in negativity, that positivity wasn’t even appealing most of the time.

There is no one on this planet who is completely happy with everything about themselves or their life situation. Everyone wants something more than what they already have.  This idea of never being satisfied is both a gift and a curse. On one hand, it makes you appear to be someone who never gives up, and always aims for the next step above where you are. However, without some level of satisfaction and gratitude for what you already have, you’re selling yourself short.

For me, where I am now isn’t where I want to end up, but it’s exactly where I wanted to be a year ago. When things were falling apart around me, I just wanted to feel happy. I just wanted to feel accepted. I just wanted to feel ME. Now that I do, I’ve found it incredibly important to practice a combination of gratitude and action – being proud of where I am, but always moving forward to the next level.

I’ve had a few rough days recently.

I’m doubting my life direction, and honestly even my ability to achieve all of the things I want to with the baggage that I bring. I haven’t had 24 hours of a completely good mood in as long as I can remember, but I am also happy more hours than I am sad. It’s a give and take of sorts. In honor of practicing gratitude, I want to share a list of things that I’m grateful for right now.

These are the things that I focus on that I have at this very moment – rather than the things that I don’t have.

Katie’s Gratefuls

I am grateful for having a job in a time in which many people do not.

I am grateful for having a fulfilling relationship with my mom, though it may be rocky at times.

I am grateful for always having exactly what I need. It might not always be everything that I want, but my necessities are always taken care of.

I am grateful to be living in a house with two of my very good friends who make me feel loved, appreciated, and wanted.

I am grateful for my ever growing writing skills and that I am able to contribute to several clients to better develop their companies.

I am grateful for my sense of humor that can bring others out of a bad mood.

I am grateful for YOU, readers, who’s ideas and validation that I am not alone help me get through some very difficult days.

I am most grateful that I was able to overcome extreme depression and come to a point where I don’t look forward to the end of each day, but to the beginning of tomorrow’s new journey.

Okay, now you go!

So, my lovely friends, I’d love for you to make a list of 5 (or MORE!!) things that you’re grateful for right now, no matter your life circumstances. Share them with me in the comments!

If you decide to blog about it, leave me a link to the blog so I can read it. Make it a habit this week, as I will be, to remember the things that you do have, while still working toward the things that you want.

Bookmark and Share
Comments (19)

19 Responses to “Gratitude and Action – A Recipe For True Happiness”

  • Erica Says:
    April 14th, 2010 at 6:44 pm

    You are an inspiration.

  • Eran Says:
    April 14th, 2010 at 8:55 pm

    Great post Katie. I think it's really important to always remember to be grateful. So many people forget, and get caught up in the world "owing them" something. I actually blogged my "Thank You" list just last week, strangely enough! (http://www.thequarterlifequest.com/id-like-to-thank-the-academy/) I had foot surgery about 6 weeks ago and although the healing is going pretty well, it's still been unbelievably frustrating. It was great to take the time and think back on the last few weeks because I realized how incredibly lucky I was to be surrounded by amazing people who helped me along the way :)

  • Katie [blogs] Says:
    April 14th, 2010 at 10:22 pm

    Not as much as you are to me for reading :)

  • Ralu Says:
    April 14th, 2010 at 11:17 pm

    This was really inspiring and made me take a moment to count my blessings. Here are my five things:

    - I'm grateful for my friends, who listened and loved me when I put loving myself on pause
    - I am grateful for the chance to make my own decisions and carve my own path
    - I am grateful for all the positive energy and inspiration I find on the blogs I read (Stratejoy, you rock!)
    - I am grateful for sunny days after a veeery long and cold winter!
    - I am grateful for the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them.

    Sending you a big hug and thanks for the post! I hope you have a great rest of the week ^.^

  • Molly_Hoyne Says:
    April 14th, 2010 at 11:42 pm

    Oh, I love practicing my gratefuls…

    Today I am grateful for Club ReFresh and the midweek boost it always brings.
    I am grateful for Gmail Video Chat that lets me talk to my dad in the middle of the day, whenever we both happen to be online.
    I am grateful for avocados. Seriously. Oh and mangos.
    I am grateful for the sunshine out in Seattle today!
    I am grateful for my coaching clients who are making totally kick ass progress- lots of internal changes, as well as external ones. Thinking of a trip to Paris, acceptance/love of a gorgeous self, getting time & energy to work for us, new potential businesses and bakeries and talents, standing up for our own LIFE, making a difference, remembering to rock at self care… You know who you are! ;)

    I AM REALLY SUPER GRATEFUL for Katie and Nicole and Heather. For sharing their stories, being the best bloggers a girl could ever want, and just generally being awesome. SMOOCH.

  • Romantic Comedee Says:
    April 15th, 2010 at 2:46 am

    I am grateful for:

    1. A wife who looks at me and sees me, not the person trapped in obesity that others see.
    2. The mental breakthrough that caused me to get up off my butt and FIGHT this obesity.
    3. A family I can draw strength from, even if I sometimes mistake their love for criticism
    4. A chance at a new beginning
    5. The ability to start each day with the drive and determination to make it better than the day before.

  • Katie [blogs] Says:
    April 14th, 2010 at 10:24 pm

    Thanks, girl! That's amazing that you had the same idea I did around the same time. I can only imagine how difficult it is recovering from foot surgery. Immobile much?! Especially when you're more than likely used to being on your feet. Here's thinking of you, and hoping your remainder recovery time is super quick!

  • Nikki Says:
    April 15th, 2010 at 1:52 am

    I love that you're doing this! I started writing a gratitude list daily about two years ago and it has changed my life. Not kidding. I write a gratitude list on every entry of my blog, daily in a gratitude journal, and recently wrote an article about it here:http://escapehatcher.com/blog/?p=391
    Keep it up & you'll be amazed at how it changes your perspective!!

    I am grateful for people learning about & using the power of gratitude!
    I am grateful for girls wine & cheese night tonight
    I am grateful for my best friend visiting
    I am grateful for olive oil
    I am grateful for new adventures!

  • Kristen Fischer Says:
    April 15th, 2010 at 1:56 am

    that was a sucky Thanksgiving but it's great to hear you being positive!!

  • Niesha Says:
    April 15th, 2010 at 9:16 pm

    I'm grateful for the friends that have never left my side no matter how mean, bitchy or needy I can be.
    I am also grateful to be 23 and have lived in San Francisco, New York and Amsterdam.
    I am grateful for pretty decent health and to just wake up each and everyday.

  • Molly_Hoyne Says:
    April 15th, 2010 at 9:20 pm

    Thanks Ralu! You rock too girlfriend.

  • Katie [blogs] Says:
    April 15th, 2010 at 1:53 pm

    It was a miserable winter, wasn't it?! I also find myself trying to enjoy Sunny days to their maximum. Thanks for sharing, lovely!

  • oceanskies_PY Says:
    April 17th, 2010 at 3:11 pm

    Thank you for this post. I have blogged about the things that I am grateful for here. http://oceanskies79.blogspot.com/2010/04/pys-grat…

  • Katie [blogs] Says:
    April 20th, 2010 at 3:31 pm

    I'm grateful FOR YOU! I'm so stoked for you to be takin the parts of your life that you're not happy with and changing them!

  • Katie [blogs] Says:
    April 20th, 2010 at 3:31 pm

    Awesome! I love that you've lived all over…or what I consider "All over". It's always important to keep in mind, too, that even your friends can get bitchy, and I'm sure you're patient with them as well.

  • Katie [blogs] Says:
    April 20th, 2010 at 3:32 pm

    Can't wait to check out your gratefuls!!

  • Katie [blogs] Says:
    April 20th, 2010 at 3:32 pm

    I am so jealous of your wine and cheese girls night. You just inspired me to arrange one!

  • Katie [blogs] Says:
    April 20th, 2010 at 3:33 pm

    I'm grateful for YOU.

    I'm sure you've heard over and over and over again how Stratejoy saved my life, in a literal sense, so I'm incredibly grateful for you, and the wonderful girls of stratejoy.

  • Katie [blogs] Says:
    April 20th, 2010 at 3:30 pm

    It wasn't the best Thanksgiving, but this year is making up for it. Thanks so much for the support, lady!

Leave a Reply

name*


email* (will not be published)


website


comments