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Bill Leslie: Living with gratitude

I hope we can all find something to be grateful for today. There is a lot of work to be done to make this a better world for everyone.

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Bill Leslie: Practicing gratitude

Bob Inskeep told me the other day that his personal prayers are 99.9% gratitude. I thought that was an amazing statement, especially during this year of unprecedented turmoil.

Bob and I worked together in radio at WRAL-FM for several years in the 1980s. Famous Bob Inskeep, or FBI, was a beloved morning personality. I had the good fortune of being Bob’s newsman. We remain dear friends today.

Bob proved that there is life after broadcasting. In 1994, Bob became a full-time Presbyterian minister. He still works part-time now at Saint Andrews Church in Henderson and he loves his job.

Bob told a recent outdoor church gathering about his daily practice of gratitude.

“If I have to shelter at home, I have a nice home to shelter in. And I HAVE gotten a few projects done in the past couple months and some good yard work done. I look up and see trees and hear dozens of birds…and I can be ‘still and know!’”

Emotional Inflammation is the title of a new book on how to cope during a prolonged crisis. Authors Lise Van Susteren and Stacey Colino write about emotional whiplash and the grace of gratitude.

“Research suggests that gratitude has an effect like flipping a switch in our minds, one that helps us feel better in the moment and triggers a cascade of feelings that brings on more gratitude.”

I usually post a pithy quote on Twitter each day. One of the more popular posts this year came from author Melody Beattie.

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what you have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”

Mindsoother Therapist Danna Markson believes in keeping a gratitude journal.

“Spend a few minutes each day writing down or noting what you are grateful for. This will help you remember that, even if you are having a hard time, there are still many things in life for which you can give thanks. Feeling gratitude in any given moment can shift your physiology and focus.”

I’ve always tried to compliment people when I think they do a good job. Markson says praise is very important especially during this rough year.

“Let other people know that you appreciate them. Practice random acts of kindness and expect nothing in return. Put out positive vibes and energy just because you can.”

Bob Inskeep has found that generosity goes hand in hand with gratitude. He has been supporting local restaurants during the pandemic.

“I picked up dinner every Wednesday at Irregardless to help our old friends there keep going…and to tip extra generously."

I hope we can all find something to be grateful for today. There is a lot of work to be done to make this a better world for everyone. A good way to start is to write down what you are already thankful for. That gives you a positive mindset to begin making a difference!

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