Grace, Gratitude, and Acceptance
In our final reflection of November, I wanted to emphasize why it is so important to incorporate simple acts of grace and gratitude into our daily routines, as well as in our daily interactions with others. These are attributes that reinforce a person's sense of self-acceptance, worth, and confidence- so, how can we share this acceptance with others so that they may feel the same?
In an earlier blog, I mentioned the work of Bryan Tracy and the 4 A’s of Gratitude. I wanted to share these with you so that you may share them with others as we all strive for a graceful, gratitude-filled life.
(If you missed my blog earlier mentioning Bryan Tracy’s work, be sure to check it out here:
Remembering the 4 A’s
I am a big reader and appreciator of the success coach Bryan Tracy, and have taken some inspiration from him this month. Here are what he calls the 4 A’s of Gratitude:
1. Appreciation: Showing appreciation to others, yourself, and to the small things that happen in life. Focusing on the positive, and appreciating the more mundane can help us maintain our mental well-being and spread this mindset to others.
2. Approval: We often seek external validation for our own self-approval and worthiness. We must flip the script on this. We are perfect as we are! Be thankful for yourself and what you can do. Stop being your own worst self-critic and start becoming your best supporter.
3. Admiration: When we think of admiration, we usually think of celebrities or idols that we look up to. However, it is also important to have our own daily role models in our lives. Try to think of people in your circle of influence that you admire. Why don’t we pass on the good graces to others? Tell someone you know that you admire them and why.
4. Attention: Giving attention to what matters can make an immediate difference when we interact with others. Remove any distractions when you are with someone else. Give them your full attention. Make eye contact, try not to interrupt, and actively listen to them.
If you would like to learn more about grace and gratitude, please watch my video here:
I hope with these bits of advice, we can make grace and gratitude a year-round experience rather than for a single season. May you feel grateful for yourself every day and share your grace with others.
