Grow a Garden of Gratitude

Today is December 1st. It marks the final day of my week-long break. As I savor the last bites of the sweet potato pie my wife made, my thoughts begin to drift toward the week ahead. A familiar sense of dread and sadness starts to simmer inside me. Rather than avoiding these feelings, I am determined to acknowledge them—and counter them by reflecting on the experiences that brought me joy over the break.

I am deeply thankful for a career that gives me purpose, allows me to serve others, and challenges me to grow through difficult situations. I am also grateful for the restorative time I’ve had this week, enjoying activities that recharge me: visiting the library and bookstore, sipping coffee at my favorite coffee shops, watching movies, indulging in sports, and spending time with friends and family. This week, I even tried something new—visiting the dog park.

Tomorrow, I return to work. Instead of complaining or letting anxiety take over, I plan to cultivate a garden of gratitude by focusing on the things I appreciate about my workplace. These include the comfort of my office, the convenience of my coffee pot, the camaraderie of my co-workers, and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.

I know I can’t control what happens to me. The challenges that contribute to stress, anger, sadness, or frustration will undoubtedly appear at work. However, I can control how I respond to them.

Answer this question to plant your gratitude garden.

What can you focus on in your daily life to nurture gratitude, even when faced with stress or challenges?