Gratitude

Gratitude is a positive fuel. Being thankful is appreciating what we have, where we are right now. To me, being grateful feels light-hearted. It feels full, abundant, warm and kind. The feeling starts in the middle of my chest, where my heart is, and radiates outward in all directions. It is soothing, relaxing

When I thank someone for doing something for me, it feels good not only because a favor was done; the act of thanking reminds me of how fortunate I am.

Oftentimes I talk with my oncology patients outside of their medical issues. Over the years, I have encountered many amazing human beings. Many patients are thankful despite with advance cancer diagnosis. They are thankful for their families and for the care they are receiving. They are thankful for being alive. Quite a few patients tell me that they are thankful to be alive every morning. In spite of experiencing what others think of as obstacles or suffering, the grateful patients view them as opportunities to practice appreciation, to focus on what they have rather than what they don’t have.

This really resonates with me. Focusing on what we have and not what we are lacking. The practice of gratitude makes me feel more complete. To be fully immersed in the complete human experience, gratitude allows us to broaden our horizon, to let more daily encounters be our guide to move forward.

Without the heart of gratitude, there is always the ‘not-enough’ feeling. I am not good enough. That person is not good enough. I have seen better outcome. I am better than you (or vice versa). Without gratitude, I would always be seeking for what I am lacking, physically and emotionally.

I started reading the book, “The Gap And The Gain” by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. If we measure where we are at compared to where your goal is, you are in the “gap”. If you measure where you are at compared to where you started, you are in the “gain”.

The “gap” focuses on the needing and the goal to be “there”, rather than be content with what you have or where you are at. You spend your time chasing after a goal, thinking that it will fulfill you; instead, you feel miserable and never enough. There is a constant state of lacking.

When you are in the “gains”, you are always thankful. You count your blessings. You appreciate people and things around you. You are living in the present. And that feeling you get to experience in your body – yours may be different from mine, but I have no doubt that it is a great feeling.

“Shining With Gratitude MD” was born because I was thankful (I still am thankful) that life coaching transformed my life. I learned to appreciate all things in my life, all good and bad things. I appreciate what life has to offer. I don’t like everything in my life, but I am thankful for the spectrum of my routine, chores, inspiration and hardship. My expression of gratitude is to help other physicians, to help them overcome burnout and stress. In turn, my goal is to have them radiate with thankfulness despite of work situation, trouble at home, or anything that is considered to be an obstacle or an unwanted experience. It feels so good to be content with what we have and where we are at. This does not mean we don’t set goals. The positive attitude, the abundant feeling (or the lack-of nothing attitude) remind us that we get to choose to want things, and not need things to be happy.