11 Comments

Hi Jeff. I love how you link gratitude to developing luck. There have been so many studies done about how gratitude can have a positive effect on peoples health. I once heard this great thing - if you don't know how to pray, or what to pray for, just say "Thank you."

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There’s always a gift in the stuff that life throws at us. Sometimes it’s hard to find, but there’s always something to be thankful for. This is what triggered my most recent thinking about gratitude: https://xkcd.com/2590

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I feel both unlucky and full of gratitude--yes, somehow those two fit together for me. Or "in" me, I should say. So I doubly appreciate this piece, as one can now substitute--elbow out--the other! Thank you!

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You raise an interesting point here, Alison. Gratitude can just be focussed on the present or the past. It can be very selective. I think what I’m aiming at here – and have experienced to some degree – is the development over time of an all-encompassing gratitude that reaches forward and embraces the future. I hope your gratitude develop some sharp elbows and get to work for you.

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Yes to gratitude being all-encompassing. After my spouse passed away (after a year of illness) I found myself with a deepening appreciation for little things--green stuff popping up in spring, my wood stove, music--lots of music, played locally. My sons! My old mom! Cooking... Just being here on this planet. Now being able to write a good chunk of the day... It does grow. It feeds itself after awhile...

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Your Guide came together as if a puzzle piece today. Very nicely done.

Third time listening to Ode to J. Smith. I’m grateful for you, Jeff, and this place to jib jab. Who’s grateful out there? Plant a seed here to grow a Tree 🌳

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Thank you so much, Denelle!

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I love how gratitude can contribute to your wellbeing and help you to think positively.

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And I find it works very quickly most of the time.

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I'm 45 and only just figuring out gratitude as a skill, great post!

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Thanks, Matt. You’re doing it NOW. That’s the only time that things can be done.

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