“A Lesson in Gratitude,” by Bailee Holt-Sandsmark, FQ10 Personal Trainer

I have been surrounded by the word “gratitude” lately. It keeps popping up everywhere, and it’s really got me thinking. There’s so much negativity on TV and in the news. People seem to be so worried about themselves, they forget about their neighbors. We are quick to judge and compare ourselves to other people. There’s way too much negativity in the world in general.

It’s all too easy to let negativity cloud the good and distract us from the things that are truly important. I have found that my own negativity not only makes me feel like crap, it makes those around me feel like crap too. One of the things I love about working at Fitness Quest 10 is that we are in the business of making people feel good. Yes, it is our job to help people get healthy, but what drives us as trainers is we are passionate about making people’s lives better. No matter what mood people are in when they walk in the door, they always leave feeling better. This goes for staff, clients, guests, physical therapists and their patients. The list goes on.

A few weeks ago, I decided to start a journal in which every day I write at least one thing I’m grateful for. I also started the Instagram #100happydays challenge with the hope that it will allow me to look past the cloud of negativity around me and focus on all the wonderful things and people I have in my life.

A couple weeks have gone by and I am amazed that the little bit of conscious positivity has already started to shift my thinking. Even with something as simple as bad traffic (which usually makes me crazy), I have shifted my perspective to enjoy the fact that I have a car to drive and great music to listen to while I sit in traffic. I feel like I am walking around with a new sense of confidence and glow about me. I’m hoping that the extra thanks on my part can shed some positivity and love into the universe.

Sometimes keeping a positive attitude in times of hardship or struggle seems impossible, but when times get tough, I’ll have my gratitude journal to look back on and help me get through those tough times. We are human and cannot be perfect all the time. But having tools and strategies like this can sure make a difference in our lives and in the lives of the people we interact with on a daily basis.

If you’re interested in joining me on this wonderful journey, it’s pretty simple:

1. Grab a journal, use an app on your phone or tablet, or just use a word doc on your computer.

2. Every night before bed, reflect on the day and write down what you are thankful for that day. Try to focus on people or things people do versus material “things.” Although being thankful for my car to get me where I need to go is something I am very thankful for!

3.  When things aren’t going 100%, take a look at the journal and let the positivity sink in.

4. Keep the journal for a minimum of 3 weeks and see what happens 🙂

Who’s with me??!!

Bailee Holt-Sandsmark
Fitness Quest 10 Personal Trainer