As I reflect on 2023, I am incredibly humbled and grateful to be a part of MOAA, supporting the broader uniformed services community, aligned to a role I truly love. I have the honor and privilege of equipping, educating, and empowering servicemembers past and present, as well as military spouses, to pursue their goals and dreams!
Helping others live their best lives is the most edifying job I could ask for. For that, I am truly grateful.
How about you? For what, or whom, are you grateful this past year?
An Attitude of Gratitude
Gratitude can improve your mental and physical health, according to a Mayo Clinic Health System article. This is because oxytocin, known by some as the “love hormone,” is released when we express sincere gratitude. Taking the time to reflect on or write down what we’re grateful for, even if we spend only a few minutes at the end of the day, will curb entitlement, instill humility, and build character.
We often take basics needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and clean running water for granted. Gratitude can remind us of our blessings and foster the virtues of humility, charity, and kindness.
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Gratitude Is a Mindset
A fantastic example of what can happen when gratitude is your attitude comes from a book I have grown to love: The Gap and The Gain, co-authored by Dan Sullivan (Founder of Strategic Coach) and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. The book begins with a story of renowned speed skater Dan Jansen, who by all accounts was the best skater in the world for much of his career but entered what would be last event in his last Olympic Games without a medal.
“He decided this final Olympic event would be an expression of gratitude – a way of saying ‘thank you’ and ‘goodbye’ to the sport, the people, and the experiences he loved so much,” the authors wrote.
The difference was simply his mindset. Jansen had finished eighth as a favorite in his best event at the competition, and then – spoiler alert – he not only won gold, but broke the world record in what was considered his weakest event.
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Gift Yourself the Practice of Gratitude
You might be thinking, “I already say ‘thank you!’” or, “I am grateful for what I have!” – that’s great! Don’t stop doing those things. But consider making a daily habit out of practicing gratitude: Take an intentional pause to reflect on, and WRITE DOWN, what you are/were grateful for during the day.
I started this daily practice when I was deployed in 2018, making three entries in a simple book. That’s it. I wasn’t sure if it was going to have an effect, but I still wanted to try it out. After all, there is not much to do after hours on deployment – I had plenty of time to reflect on and write down three things for which I was grateful, especially when my list of complaints was long.
Simply reflect at the end of your day, or the beginning if you prefer. Or both, for extra credit – just kidding, there is no extra credit (just extra grace!). Try it for 90 days. You can buy a gratitude journal, or simply grab a notebook and write the date and three to 10 things for which you are grateful.
Rinse and repeat daily. If you miss a day, pick up where you left off. The goal is not perfection. The goal is gratitude.
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