It’s the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.
My son Max is in Mexico with his Dad for ten days, and I already miss him. Most of my family is either in L.A. or Virginia Beach for the holiday, which is a shift in tradition that keeps everyone in Denver to celebrate. I miss my family too.
Despite feeling a little bit of the ‘poor me’, you should know that I chose not to travel this year. I’m about four chapters shy of finishing my book, so I took the week off from clients to get it done.
I was feeling very excited about this!
Then last night at 11pm I came down with a fever and a massive sore throat. I’m sure this didn’t have anything to do with the fact that I ran 13 miles on Sunday, in 30 degree weather, in shorts. Regardless, it’s making the writing process a bit challenging, as I rotate through Kleenex, Zinc lozenges, throat spray and Zicam.
Then I got a call from a client who says she does not want to continue her coaching with me. She has come up against some financial challenges, and feels guilty taking her lunch hour to participate in my tele-coaching calls. After several minutes of coaching her otherwise – showing her that with a little shift she can do my program and still be accomplished at work – she decided she couldn’t take it on right now.
I came downstairs to my computer, and looked at the chapter I’d just written. Then I chuckled. The chapter is about practicing gratitude, and how this sets us free from limiting thoughts. Whenever my clients get stuck on what’s NOT working in their lives, I bring them through this exercise so that they can redefine what’s “bad” and turn it into what’s “good”.
Part of the exercise goes like this:
1) Write down 10 things in your life that you see as “bad”. This could be a failed marriage, your weight, your parenting skills, or even the traffic on your way to work.
2) Then look at each statement and turn it around. Rather than seeing a situation as bad, decide how it is serving you in a way that is to be thanked. Write this down, starting each sentence with “(This situation) is good because….”, and ending with the words, “Thank you”.
So, I am taking the time, right here with all of you, to do my own Practice Gratitude Exercise around all the events that are in my life today. Here we go:
“Missing Max is good because it reminds me of what a blessing he is in my life, and I can picture him having fun on the beach. Thank you.”
“Having my family out of town is good because it gives me the time I need to finish my book, and they support me and are sending me love from wherever they are. Thank you.”
“This sore throat is good because it reminds me to walk my talk and take better care of myself during times of stress, so I’ve packed my day with fresh fruits and vegetables. Thank you.”
“Losing my client from the MaxLife Wellness Program is good because it opens up space for new clients to come in, and I am attracting committed people who are ready for profound transformation in their health and wellness. Thank you.”
Wow. That felt great! It really does shift the doom and gloom into total light, levity and a faith that everything has it’s place.
If you’re struggling at all today, and feeling like life is just not working, then try this exercise. You can also augment this with writing down 10 things that you are grateful for, that you know are working in your life, and that stand out as obvious sources of joy.
I am grateful for all of you and this wonderful community of parents. Thank you for being a part of my life.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
