Pause for gratefulness

At SEC Media Days, Shane Beamer, Head Football Coach at South Carolina, was asked if he ever takes a moment during pre-game on Saturday to take it all in. 

Every time he steps in the tunnel, waiting to run on the field, the stands are full, the crowd is at peak emotional level, he pauses, centers himself, and reminds himself how grateful he is to have the opportunity of his position. Regardless of the win / loss record, in that moment he is incredibly grateful for the opportunity.

Working closely with a CEO over the years, before we walk into a meeting at Walmart’s Home Office, he would pause, turn to me, and say, “What an honor to be walking into the world’s largest retailer to do business.” That always quickly put things in perspective for me.

Prior to moving into our current office at Harvest Group, before the paint was up, we picked one wall where every person was able to write a message. I wrote my life verse, Romans 12:2. Some early mornings, I walk in that room, I pause, and I am filled with gratefulness at how I have seen God move and the opportunity that I have before me. The day changes in that moment as I reflect what Harvest has become. 

In the middle of the fast pace of life, pausing for gratefulness puts things in perspective. If you look around, you can quickly stack the blessings of life up. Pace clouds vision, but pausing for gratefulness slows life down to help you focus on the blessings.

Pausing for gratefulness quickly fills your cup and creates a deep stewardship of your life, your job, your marriage, your family. We take great care of that which we are grateful for each day.

Pausing for gratefulness makes the obstacle appear as a blessing, regardless of the potential outcome, as you realize the opportunity before you. The outcome is ultimately uncontrollable, but my heart can be guided.

Pausing for gratefulness creates unity with others as you realize the gift that you have to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with your spouse, your team, those that care about you toward a common goal.

Pausing for gratefulness stirs the soul, reduces stress, clears your head, fills you with joy, helps you realize that other people are the true gifts in life that you sometimes may take for granted.

Pause for gratefulness today. Make it a discipline.

The mindset will flip the script for the day as burdens become gifts.

And, your view of the world will impact others, just as the CEO mentioned above did for me. Gratefulness spreads.

Impact others. Live generously.