Description

Daniel goes solo in a special Thanksgiving episode, talking about why and how to make gratefulness and thankfulness a part of your everyday life.

Notes/Outline:

1. Where we're going with this episode - make gratefulness and thanksgiving a year-round thing that will help you personally and as a leader
2. Marissa Levin in Inc.com talking about the best ways to start your day
   1. I often ask our guests how they like to start their day, and this has come up as an answer
   2. #2 is Practice Gratitude
   3. Starting with gratitude doesn't remove the challenges that are ahead of us, but help us get into the right mindset to take them on
3. Lifehack.org article
   1. Gratitude is the number one ritual to empower your day and change your life
   2. It is not happy people who are thankful, but thankful people who are happy
4. Brian Biro (Episode 002) - When asked how he starts his day, responded that he asks himself what he's thankful for and says thanks.
5. Lewis Howes on Gratitude
   1. Turns what we have into being enough
6. Avoid comparison and relativity
   1. Always someone with more than us
   2. As a leader, always someone more successful
   3. But gratefulness for what you do have is empowering, no matter how small
7. Gary Vaynerchuck - "my energy, every single ounce of it, comes from gratitude."
   1. Born in former Soviet Union and parents moved here when he was a kid
   2. Now a superstar in his space
   3. Grateful knowing where he could have lived
8. President John F. Kennedy - As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
   1. How can we act with gratitude/thankfulness?
   2. Tell people your thankful for them
   3. Do an act of kindness
9. Zig Ziglar - Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.
   1. Ties into the idea that if you are faithful with little you'll be blessed with alot
   2. There is a cycle that can develop where you more you are grateful the more you'll receive and the more you'll be grateful.
10. What does the Bible say about gratefulness and thanksgiving?
    1. 1 Thes. 5:18 - give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
    2. Personal growth experts, life coaches, etc. are all emphasizing gratefulness, and there is a reason it works - because that's how God made us!
    3. Philippians 4:12 - I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
    4. If you're in a tough season and need something to be thankful for, Psalms 139:14 - I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
       1. You are created by God
       2. He loves you
       3. He made a way for you to spend eternity with him through his son Jesus
       4. All of the Earthly blessings God has given are temporary and can be taken away at any time, so putting all our worth/value/hope in those things is a mistake. Put your hope in Him!
11. Closing
    1. Don't just give thanks once per year on Thanksgiving
    2. Use today as a reason to start a 21 or 30 day challenge to start each day being grateful
    3. I'm thankful for you the listener!
    4. Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!
    5. Next week - Pat Nunley, former Baylor basketball player and current radio commentator; attorney; leadership and executive consultant

Thank Yous/Acknowledgements:

1. Antioch Live/Clear Day Media Group – music
   1. More here.
2. Jonathan Davis – production
3. Clint Musslewhite – voice over