The Attitude of Gratitude
Just a few weeks ago I celebrated the five-year anniversary of my clinic. This coming Thursday will be my fifteenth wedding anniversary, and on Friday, I’ll be turning 49.
I’m grateful for all of this and I have to give a lot of the credit to my husband, Champ. He’s my biggest fan and supporter. Anyone in business for themselves knows that it’s a lot of hard work, going out on a limb financially, and persevering through good times and bad–a lot like being married. You basically get up every morning and decide to do it another day. What I’m grateful for is that I still look forward to it every day.
I’m a big believer that thought is the most powerful thing in the universe, that what you think is what you’re going to manifest. If you expect things to be good, they’ll be good, and if you expect them to be bad, they’ll be bad. Of course that’s not true all the time; you can be the most upbeat person in the world and still have trials and tribulations, but it’s your attitude about those things that’s going to make the biggest difference to the outcome. I try to be one of those people that can find the silver lining in every cloud.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m as apt to worry as the next person. I worry if we’ll have enough money when we retire (or if we’ll have enough money TO retire; sometimes I think we’ll be working on the way to the cemetery.) But I try to follow the five-minute rule: don’t have any pity-parties that last longer than five minutes.
I’m grateful for the staff that we’ve assembled, and the fact that they’re all dedicated. I’m grateful for the clients we have. I’m grateful that we have a roof over our heads and enough to eat, and always mindful that a lot of people don’t have that. I’m grateful that I’m blessed with good friends and family. I’m grateful to be in reasonably good health.
I’m grateful for the opportunities that the massage profession has afforded me. In my former life as a chef and restaurant owner, I spent more than 20 years cooking for the public. While it was always nice to be complimented for serving a good meal, I don’t think it changed anybody’s life. I’m grateful to be part of a profession now that allows me to help make positive changes in the lives of the people I touch.
I’m grateful for Massage Magazine and for the people reading this blog. When I count my blessings, I count you.
Peace & Prosperity,
Laura Allen
Posted on September 1st, 2008 by Laura Allen
Filed under: General
Laura,
You have a great outlook on life. I too think this occupation is the greatest and everyday that I get to do it and help people is a great day. I still sometimes am in awe that we get paid for it! I have been a MT for almost 5 years now and hope to do it for as long as I can. We are so fortunate that we have a place to live, food on table, and a job we look forward to doing. Thank you for the reminder about how blessed we really are to make a living helping people recognize how amazing their bodies truly are.
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