Originally posted on LinkedIn on Nov 19, 2023
My recent posts have tackled sober topics, such as worker displacement by AI, grief/loss, and struggles with manager authenticity. After such weighty rumination, it seemed timely to switch to something a little more upbeat. With Thanksgiving coming up, I've been studying the concept of gratitude. It offers more than I expected, and I'd love to share some ideas which challenged my thinking.
1. Gratitude, like love, is not a feeling, but a posture.
Romance is a feeling; so is appreciation. Love, and gratitude, while fraternally related to romance and appreciation, are not feelings. They are choices.
Love is knowing in advance that when a difficult decision comes, you will choose correctly. Likewise: gratitude is the disposition to live a purpose-filled life even when all the evidence around you is convincingly making a compelling case to do otherwise.
2. Gratitude is strengthened within a seeking heart.
Your heart yearns for things to be grateful for. Direct your mind towards something true, pure, good, noble or beautiful; absorb that which it radiates, that which you admire. The furrowed brow on a curious child. A baby's unrestrained laughter. A brilliant sunset which catches you by surprise. Dwell on that virtue. Internalize it. It will frame the world in such a way that the posture of gratitude is more accessible.
3. Gratitude is to be acted out.
Your internal resolve to face the world’s obstacles with a disposition of thankfulness needs to translate into action. To defy gravity, we must actually fly. This is difficult, because we live in a turbulent world.
I’m hoping you have many things to be grateful for. I do: my wife, my children and my work amongst them. But if you are like me, you may also feel acute needs: you may long for health, for security, for healing. With Thanksgiving on Thursday, for some of us, it may also be time for reconciliation.
Among the deepest of human needs is that for forgiveness. Through my reading, it seems to me the posture of gratitude is essential: not only for giving, but also for receiving, forgiveness – it is only the seeking heart that can find the strength to let go of such unbearable weight as an unforgiven wrong.
What would it be like to wake up each day empowered to transcend whatever may happen, to be able to give thanks...for nothing? My friends, I wish you a blessed week ahead. Regardless of your circumstances, may your seeking be rich and fruitful.
J