April 30th 2011 was the first Friday I was sober in over a decade. On that day a tradition began in my life that I’ve held firm to every Friday since. It’s called Gratitude Friday.
It’s an exercise that tilts my attitude towards what I have and not what I don’t. It pushes me to accept who I am, my situation, my plight, my struggle. It reminds me that I am ok, even when I feel like I’m not. Overall it helps to refocus my attention towards living in a grateful state of mind.
But why just do this on Fridays? If a state of “gratitude” is my preferred destination. The place in which I hope to reside, then why not start the week purposefully headed in that direction, instead of hoping to just wash up on its shores come Friday?
Why don’t we flip this thing around and start the week with a Gratitude Monday! How does that sound? Sounds real good to me.
All you need to do is start thinking about a handful of items that you can boldly acknowledge your gratitude or thankfulness for in the present moment. Your list could consist of opportunities, people, situations, health, friendships or simple necessities like food, shelter or clean water.
This typical Friday list will help us to back up and have some perspective on the day to day struggles we might face throughout the week. Ensuring we are all positioned where we need to be.
Small, grateful, broken, humbled, thankful. Counting ALL things joy.
..and that’s how Friday’s can change your Monday’s!
Challenge:
So grab a notebook or your phone and write your list today. Revisit it next week or the next time you get ticked off that the entire world is not following your directions. Because typically when our level of entitlement is high our level of gratitude is low and that’s not where want to be.
Here is my list for Gratitude Monday!
1. I am grateful to be sober
2. I am grateful to have my kids in my life
3. I am grateful to have a calling on my life
4. I am grateful to have the opportunity to share my story this week
5. I am grateful for these people: My Dad and Mom, the 5 men I live with, my donors and partner churches and all the new friends I’ve made this summer.