The Discipline of Gratitude
Over the last 15 years, I have become more disciplined than I ever thought was possible for someone like me. I became a morning person. I lost 30 pounds. I wrote a book. All of these things took discipline on my part. I disciplined myself to wake up early, to stop eating sweets late at night, and to write for multiple hours several days a week.
There’s another discipline I’ve added over the past few years and to be honest, I didn’t think it was possible for this to be a discipline: the discipline of gratitude.
I used to think that gratitude was merely something you expressed when you felt grateful. But I now make this discipline or practice part of my daily routine. I wake up most days between 5-5:30am and immediately turn the coffee on. I spend the first 10-20 minutes in silence (more on this in another post, but it has also been a game-changer for me). Then I reach for my journal. I write the word “Gratitude” at the top of my page and start listing everything I can think of to be grateful for. To be honest, I mostly list current realities or things that happened in the past 24 hours. Here’s what mine looked like on Monday morning, October 7:
Gratitude
Special time in Napa this weekend with Shauna, Dan & Betsy
Going public with the news that Epic’s future home will open Dec 8
6 baptisms yesterday (43 so far in 2024)
God’s presence in our worship atmosphere yesterday
The way God is breathing on The Wisdom Table concepts
Driving with Asher for the first-time yesterday
Time with Shauna last night
Young people being added to our staff team
Positive interaction between two of our kids this weekend
Headed to see my dad and my brother this week
I share this with you to show you how simple this practice can be. But it does something to our brains and our hearts when we “force” ourselves to start the day with all that we’re grateful for. It puts me in a grateful posture as I begin each day. I’m reminded of the many blessings God has given me and it changes my outlook. Why not make this a practice in your life starting today? It only takes 5 minutes, but the return on investment is massive.
I know we’re celebrating Thanksgiving this week and I hope you take the time to share all that you’re thankful for. We’ll do the same around my table, but I’m glad it will be just one of the 365 days I practice gratitude this year.
Speaking of the discipline of gratitude, I’m so thankful for all of you who are part of this community.
With gratitude,
