When I got in my car this morning, I was feeling a little grumpy. No real reason. But soon I had a reason. I was mired in traffic backed up because of road construction. I realized I was getting grumpier and decided to distract myself by trying a technique I read about recently. I’m going to call it the Gratitude Challenge.
Whenever you find yourself irritated, stymied, frustrated, etc., say to yourself, “I’m grateful for [whatever is causing you consternation].” It’s okay if you don’t mean it. Just say it. I have discovered that AA is really onto something with their “fake it till you make it” approach. If it is true that we feel the way we act, then act the way you want to feel.
So I thought to myself, I’m grateful for the traffic. But I was still stuck in it...and I was still grumpy. I wasn’t getting anywhere, literally or figuratively, so I kept playing. I’m grateful for the traffic. I’m grateful for the road construction. I’m grateful for the people working out there. I’m grateful they have jobs. I’m grateful I have a job. I’m grateful I have a job that doesn’t require me to work with hot tar in the middle of traffic. I’m grateful I have a car. I’m grateful my car has a seat warmer. I’m grateful I can drive. I’m grateful for....
The crazy thing is that somewhere between I’m grateful for the traffic and I’m grateful I have a job, I started to feel truly grateful. By the time I got past the traffic and was zipping along the highway to work, I was glowing with gratitude, feeling blessed beyond belief. And I was grateful for that.
Well, You just sound like a wonderful person. God bless you.
ReplyDelete