My online publishing friend, Phil Gerbyshak, inspired me with an idea for Adversity University earlier this week.  In addition to writing almost every day at Make it Great!, he also maintains a couple other blogs including 100 Bloggers:  Connecting the Unconnected.  Using the theme of gratitude for November, he wrote 5 things to be thankful for and mentioned a handful of online publishing friends (including yours truly).  Then he encouraged all of us to share some of our own gratitude.  

That got me thinking. 

How can I harness the power of gratitude on a much bigger scale and on a regular basis?

You know that I’m a huge believer and supporter of the power of gratitude and what it can do for you.  I even have a special category here called “Power of Gratitude.”  When you are in a state of appreciation, you put yourself in one of the highest vibrational states of mind.  Spiritual laws dictate that what you are thankful for, you attract more of.  Not only that, but it helps focus on what you have, not what you don’t have – this is especially beneficial if you’re experiencing adversity of any kind – it puts you back in the right frame of mind.  It’s easy to be thankful when everything is going well but what about when things are not so good?  That would be as good of a time as any to consciously change your thoughts by expressing appreciation!           

So, what’s the answer to the above question?

It is this:  from now on, at the end of each week beginning today, I will use the exponential power of the Internet to write a special “gratitude” post to express my sincere thanks for just about anything that touched, influenced, inspired or moved me in some way, form or shape earlier that week.  And then I will invite you to find a way to express gratitude. 

Without further ado, this week’s gratitude goes to:  

• Phil Gerbyshak for becoming a powerful human advertiser, tirelessly promoting the work I do here at Adversity University.  One time he wrote an email to me saying, “just a little more bloggy push and you’ll advance way past me.”  Golly, what a generous spirit he is!
• Corrine Edwards because of a very powerful comment she made in response to one of my articles where I wondered aloud whether I was making a difference with this blog.  Check out comments #1 and #2.
• Liz Strauss for awarding Adversity University Blog with the SOB designation (Successful and Outstanding Blogs).  She seems to have a knack for coming through in just the right time, giving us lots of blog love and support.  Thanks Liz!
• Charles H. Green for mentioning a guest article I wrote for the “Make it Great!” blog back in October (“Are You an Authentic Person?“).  Mr. Green included this article in his  November Carnival of Trust where only ten selections were made for inclusion because, according to him, they were “good” or at least “provocative.”
• Brad over at Juice of Champions for including my “Adversity at the Barber Shop” story in connection with an article he wrote about tipping in the service industry. Can you guess how much I tipped the barber that day?
• The fast growing list of subscribers who communicate with me on a regular basis via the comment section as well as private email.  It is impossible to list all of you here but I do want to point out Sharmaine and Nita for being among the most active and supportive communicators.  Thank you – you know who you are. 

and finally I wish to thank:

• Michael Werner, CEO of InfoSource for becoming another tireless and enthusiastic human advertiser on my behalf as a speaker, author and blogger.  Not only did he write a fabulous testimonial letter for a speech I did for his company last month but he’s gotten his entire company excited about the possibility of helping me create and/or market my future book, “That’s Right, Stephen!”  Thanks Michael for believing in my vision!

Food for thought:  What are you grateful for this week?

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