The Gesture that Has Changed My Life

Giving thanks is the most incredible gesture in the world.  It goes beyond just saying the words “thank you.”  It is truly and genuinely feeling gratitude in your heart for who you are, where you are, and what you have right now.  I think about what I am grateful for all the time but I haven’t always had that practice.

 In my self-talk nowadays, I might say, “My life is great.  My life is a fairy tale.  I am doing what I always dreamed of, living the way I want to, and spending my time in fulfilling ways.” 

But wait. Other kinds of thoughts run  through my mind too.  They are the less empowering feelings, the downers.

On my chosen journey to be a leader of service to others, I see a lot of BS and pretending going on.  It is easy to say, “I’m an entrepreneur, I’m an expert and I’m successful.”   But it’s not as easy to say what is also sometimes true.  “I’m scared about what the future will bring.  I’m insecure right now.  I’m feeling down.”

As an influencer, leader, personal trainer, coach, and mentor, I have chosen not to pretend. I don’t act as if everything is always perfect and I have no issues.  At any given time there are many problems in my life.  These problems and the thoughts that creep in with them could steal my gratitude but I don’t allow them to. I choose to look for the lessons and opportunities that are hidden within the problems. During my lowest moments I have been surprised to find that once I shift to gratitude, things always work in my favor.

Years ago, I knew I wanted to be happy and successful and I wanted to get the most out of life.  I realized that it wouldn’t “just happen.”  So, I went to work.  I looked myself in the mirror and had some difficult conversations.  I read, I wrote, I attended seminars, workshops, meditated, went to see a therapist, and hired a life coach.  That was the beginning of my mission to be proactive about creating my life and to be grateful along the way, no matter what I was facing.

Take failure — many people run from it.  I have no issue failing.  In fact, I fail all the time.  My only fear in life is waking up one day and saying, “I wish.”  This fear has me working my ass off everyday.  And not working as in “business,” rather working on my life!

I have made a million mistakes.  I have started over so many times.  I have felt pain, loss and sorrow more at my age than I thought I would in my lifetime.  But most of all, I have made a decision that my number one priority in life is to figure out how to be the best version of myself.  All I need to do is remain a student at the school of life — and remain grateful.

I am grateful for the awakenings I have already had, and for many more to come.  Thank you universe for my life and the people in it who love me, those who believe in me.  I am grateful for the lessons I have learned along the way by those who have hurt me.  The foundation that was built for me, the challenges that strengthened me, and the opportunities that presented themselves to me. Finding a reason to be grateful in every situation has changed my life in miraculous ways.

How about you?  What are you thankful for? Join the Pure Joy Squad—our private community for women over 50! Tell us what you are grateful fo - It can be anything. I would love to hear about your life journey and ways you have found to experience gratitude each day.

Xo, 

Renata