On gratitude

I write this as the crisis around COVID-19 has the country firmly in its grasp, and I see something unique in the leaders I speak to and consult with.

These leaders are taking a lens of gratitude during what is a very difficult situation. And that’s one of the most challenging things anyone can do in a time like this.

This is a very fear-driven situation, which would make operating from a place of fear very easy and very understandable. But you can also approach a fearful situation and ask, “What can we do with this?”

I believe gratitude is a really nice place to go to.

For me, the challenges are in having kids out of school, resources limited or unaccessible, and being cut off from friends and family. But I'm impressed by the gratitude that a lot of people show, both for working together, for their families, for their appreciation for human connection, and trying to help people who need it or even just be a good fellow citizen. 

This is all a mindset, to be looking at the things that we appreciate and try to hold on to them and double down on them. 

In a lot of ways, they can bring some silver lining to an unprecedented situation.