3 minute read
Practicing Gratitude
An Attitude of Gratitude
Lake resident spreading positive message, transforming lives
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Story by CHARIS PATIRES A bout seven years ago TJ Sweet was struggling to find purpose, joy and optimism in his life. Like many people he was full of obligations and was moving from one thing to the next.
While on a fitness journey, a mentor talked about gratitude and mindset, and about being grateful for the progress he was making along the way.
“It woke me up and made me realize that I wasn’t going to be happy when I accomplished my goal unless I was happy with the progress I was making,” Sweet said. “So, I read about gratitude and started to practice it off and on.”
Sweet would share motivational messages on Facebook, and started listening to motivational talks/videos. It was a habit he developed all day, every day.
“I started to feel inspired to inspire others,” he said. Everything was going well until another personal setback and he once again started living life on cruise control. He realized he had been living an inspired life, but not a grateful life and started to see every moment, every walk, his family, friends, career and home through a grateful lens, and put his attention into his faith, vowing to share the message and spirit of gratitude with the world. Ever since, he has been studying, learning, researching, coaching and speaking worldwide about mindset and the transformative power and science of gratitude. He has been teaching his listeners about our ability to shift our mindset from one of shame, regret, stress, anxiety and worry to a life of joy, certainty, purpose, optimism, and fulfillment.
Sweet decided to make it a business when he realized that sharing this message was his purpose. Through his podcast “Living the Sweet Life” and his book “Practice Gratitude: Find Joy,” life coaching, executive coaching, team building coaching and a seven-week mindset transformation program called The Gratitude Academy, he gives others the tools to change their life. He also does in-person and virtual motivational speaking engagements to athletic teams, various business sectors, and in schools across the country. Sweet lives in Osage Beach and by day is the Director of the Cancer Service Line at Lake Regional Health System.
He plans to host life-transforming speaking conferences at the Lake in the future.
“Life isn’t always about a glass being half full or half empty. It’s about being grateful for even having a glass in the first place,” he said. “You can live your life with joy, certainty, happiness, success, fulfillment, and purpose if you just believe it’s possible. Start with gratitude.”
MORE INFO neverstopgratitude@gmail.com www.thegratitudeacademy.com Instagram: tjsweet Twitter: TJSweet LinkedIn: TJ Sweet Facebook: TJ Sweet-The Gratitude Guy Podcast: “Living the Sweet Life” available on Spotify, iTunes and other platforms Book: “Practice Gratitude: Find Joy” available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble
TJ’S TIPS FOR GRATITUDE
Self-reflection is key. Recognize when you are feeling at your best. Start your day with intention and end your day with reflection. Gratitude can and will transform our hearts and minds if we are first open to it and believe an extraordinary life is just one decision away. Pay attention to the words you use… to others and to yourself. Replace saying that you HAVE TO do something that you GET TO do something and watch the transformation begin. Pay attention to what you listen to, read, watch, and focus on. You are always in control of that so you have the choice to surround yourself with things that bring out the best in you and bring you joy. Write down three things you are grateful for, replace the habit of being stressed or frustrated with the habit of being grateful. Practice gratitude out loud. Even when you are stuck in traffic. Grab a journal or write on your bathroom mirror. Invest in your health and mindset in some way every day.
