Put Gratitude in your Attitude

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. Today I’d like to talk about attitude, specifically about putting Gratitude in your Attitude.

It’s not always easy to maintain an attitude of gratitude, but life is so much better when we do. When we recognize the significance of people around us and things that happen to us in life, we can begin to honor their presence with gratitude.

Whether you want to believe it or not, those of us with Myasthenia Gravis wake up each morning with choices. We can choose to let MG control our bodies, minds and attitudes, or we can choose to control our bodies, minds and attitudes in spite of the challenges MG brings.

I wake up each morning with aches and pains. It’s the reason why I get out of bed between 4:00 AM and 5:00 AM each morning. I used to be able to not get up until 6:00 AM, but now, by four or five my body hurts, so I just get up. I can choose to dwell on those aches and pains, or I can choose to not allow them to control my day.

I don’t often brag, but it’s the one area where I do pretty well. I may mention that I hurt, but I normally don’t spend my entire day complaining about hurting. Sometimes I’ll get into a warm tub or even go to the hot tub at the gym (I know, heat is something those of us with MG are supposed to avoid), but I find the heat pulls away the aches and pains. I’ll take a little more fatigue from the heat over aches and pains any day.

It’s not only the warmth that helps me in a tub or hot tub; mostly it’s the protocol I’ve established while being there. When I first sink into the water, I say a little prayer that goes something like this: “Dear Lord, as the heat of this water pulls the aches and pains from my body, I ask that you pull the worries, the concerns, and the negative thoughts and attitudes from my mind.” I then begin a regimen of thinking about all the things for which I’m thankful. I put Gratitude in my Attitude.

I don’t spend a long time in the tub or hot tub; maybe 15 minutes or so, but the time I spend in there helps me come away with a better attitude. I’m no longer focusing on my aches and pains. Instead, I’m focusing on all the things for which I am thankful. It works. After using the hot tub at the gym, I shower and I find myself greeting people with a “Good Morning” and a smile. I confess I usually don’t do that on my way into the gym, but after my routine, I’m in a much better place. I’ve put Gratitude in my Attitude.

The next time you’re struggling, try finding something that will help you focus on all the things for which you are thankful. Once you realize how much you are blessed, you’ll find your day improves immensely.