Are you prepared to give the gift of gratitude? Years ago in the late 1980s through the mid-1990s, right after my husband and I got married, there was another downturn in the economy. Tom had a lot of commercial and vacation real estate at the time, an area especially hard hit by that economic situation. We made it through those tough times by holding on and not bailing out. Tom found creative ways to provide income and, fortunately, my career was going well at the time. We also practiced being grateful.
During those rough times, I remember focusing on the positive aspects of my life and our lives together. We were healthy, we had wonderful families and a good support system, and we saw the potential for a great future. We shared our fears, disappointments, joys, and hope for the future. Yes, life was challenging, but we found creative ways to get away, often to the vacation properties that we couldn’t rent or sell. We worked on our relationship so we wouldn’t end up blaming each other for our circumstances. It really wasn’t anyone’s fault. “Focusing on the Good Stuff,” as Mike Robbins so aptly titled his book, is what helped Tom and me through that difficult period.
I like this quote about staying in the present, which may be from historian Alice Morse Earle. It is often quoted but seldom attributed to anyone other than “unknown.”
“Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is a mystery.
Today is a gift.
That is why they call it the present.”
I would like to invite you to do the same. Don’t cling forever to the past or long only for the future. Share the gift of gratitude for today and all its possibilities.
Hold on to your lifelong dreams and don’t bail out because you have had a financial setback. Get into the habit of practicing the following suggestions. You will feel more hope and begin to build more positive reserves for yourself now and in your future.
• Make a list of all the things that you are grateful for and then write about why. You will begin to experience a positive internal shift.
• Spend time with positive people who know how to make lemonade out of lemons and have the resilience to bounce back over time.
• Continue to make plans for your future whether you are planning for retirement or are already retired. Planning activities without the big $$ signs can be just as fulfilling.
• Focus on the good aspects of your retirement and gifts you have been given. Spend time developing them, i.e., learn to play an instrument, study a language, develop your physical fitness, improve your bridge game, volunteer, take a class.
• Daily have fun, laugh, pray, and appreciate the qualities in yourself and others that keep your positive energy moving.
• Find encouragement in “Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”
• Give the gift of gratitude—tell family, friends, and acquaintances why you are thankful for them, express thanks for acts of service, acknowledge the best in others.
In my coaching practice, I have helped many people find more gratitude in their lives because it is often hidden in places they don’t see. I would be happy to help you with this aspect of your retirement. Please feel free to contact me at 703- 435-2273, email me at Dee@LifeandWorkTransitions.com, and visit my website at https://www.lifeandworktransitions.com/.