Gratitude and Strength Training

Being thankful is not always experienced as a natural state of existence, we must work at it, akin to a type of strength training for the heart.

— Larissa Gomez —

I’ve been strength training my body for years and totally get what Gomez is referring to in the opening quote.

I was very skinny as a child. Couple that with the fact that I wore horned rim glasses and had a pigeon-toed walk–you guessed it–I was easy fodder for my older brother and his friends to make fun of.

I didn’t like being made fun of and especially disliked the fact that I was skinny so I started lifting weights and slamming down milkshakes like there was no tomorrow at the age of twelve. I’ve done some form of resistance training ever since and whenever I stop training, my muscles get weak and atrophy fairly quickly back to their normal state. BTW…I no longer need milkshakes to keep my weight on. 🙂

The same thing happens with the gratitude muscle in my heart. I’m not a naturally grateful person so I have to work at it or else my gratitude weakens and I go back to my normal state of cynicism and suspicion.

Today, I not only note what I am grateful for every morning, I pause several times throughout the day to strengthen the gratitude muscle in my heart by focusing on something that is good in His eyes.


Gratitude is an inside job.

If you are naturally grateful–thank Him for wiring you that way.

If not, ask Him to help you strengthen the gratitude muscle in your heart by looking at the world through His eyes.

Colossians 3:15, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” 

P.E.A.C.E.

Jay@EagleLaunch.com


P.E.A.C.E. for Dreamers…

P – (Plan) A dream remains a dream until it is written down. Putting your dream in writing is the first step in creating a PLAN to achieve it.

E – (Effort) Turning your dream into reality requires a commitment to putting forth consistent and focused EFFORT toward the execution of your plan.

A – (Attitude) If you think you can achieve your dream, you will. Your ATTITUDE always determines your altitude in life.

C – (Community) Nothing great in life happens by doing it alone. The chances of realizing your dream expand as your COMMUNITY of positive mentors and peers expand.

E – (Energy) Chasing and attaining your dream requires optimal levels of mental, physical, and spiritual ENERGY. Take care of yourself!

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