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<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Well, we sure got a lot of Gratitude Journals in motion as of last week. I hope yours is one of them. There is nothing better than this. Celebrate what you are grateful for and you\u2019ll have a whole lot more to be grateful for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To quote Zig again, \u201cUnfortunately, there are many people who stand in front of the stove of life and say, \u2018Stove, give me some heat and then I\u2019ll put some wood in you.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That is what most people do with everything and everyone in life \u2013 they expect first to be served, instead of serve first. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gratitude and positivity work the same way. The more of it you put into life, the more life will give you back in return. And don\u2019t forget, be grateful for what you have because there are no guarantees in life \u2013 especially life itself \u2013 so celebrate and focus on the positive while you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, let\u2019s move on to the advanced level of building your deserve muscles and increasing your own personal value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next step on your assignment is the action part: moving from reflection to motion. I want to challenge you to do, plan, enjoy, experience, commit to something that excites you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You obviously must have things to look forward to. It helps you through the ups and downs of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It might be exercise, it might be a hobby, it might be a favorite restaurant, or it might be an upcoming vacation. It doesn\u2019t matter, just have something that you are excited about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most people aren\u2019t thinking much past tonight. The only thing they are looking forward to is TV and a Pillow. Don\u2019t be that person. All life is hard. No one actually lives on easy street. So, there should be no feeling sorry for yourself allowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are people that deserve sympathy. We can think back to last week\u2019s news and find a lot. However, daily life, not so much; it\u2019s a gift in and of itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is up to you to make it what you want and to have things and people in it that inspire and excite you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make your list. If you want to really have fun with it you can make it a game where each week you can pick one item off of your list to do and then next week the next item. You can play this with your kids and with your spouse or you can just do it by yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My brother and I had a similar game when we were kids. It was my absolute favorite thing to do. We\u2019d each come up with 3, 4, or 5 things that we would want to do that day. Then we take turns narrowing down the list; he\u2019d eliminate one and then I\u2019d eliminate the next. Back and forth we\u2019d go until we got down to one activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When we had the time, we\u2019d just run through the whole entire list\u2026 board games, lots of puzzles, action figures, playing fort (not to be confused with fortnite \u2013 this was actual, real outside playing).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, there is a different list for my wife, daughter, and even my dogs. It is what I looked forward to most each day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everyone needs their list of the things you look forward to and that excite you. Hopefully it is more than just a TV show at night; though in moderation, there is nothing wrong with that too \u2013 just don\u2019t let that be the only thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you really take this to heart, you\u2019ll find it will add some great positive energy and motivation to your entire life. It will impact how you feel about yourself and how you treat others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oh, and by the way, there could be a Team List for hitting goals and victories. There certainly ought to be the Patient list you do with every patient that includes the things that get them excited about seeing dentistry as something bigger than just their teeth. That should be fun \u2013 to inspire and motivate, to influence and educate, to help people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are excited, your enthusiasm becomes contagious. You truly can make an impact on everyone you meet, just by having something extra special to look forward to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n