Armed with Gratitude
My Friend - Happy Thursday,
It’s a week since Thanksgiving and I wanted to continue expressing gratitude.
“We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is “good,” because it is good, if “bad” because it works in us patience, humility and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country.”
~ C.S. Lewis
Armed with Gratitude
I never before thought of gratitude or being thankful as a tool for mental toughness. But recently I’ve found it to be extremely helpful in dealing with stress, discouragement, crises big or small, and simply not giving in to weakness and the temptation to self-pity. How? Well, just like Jocko Willink’s GOOD (if you aren’t familiar search that on YouTube), finding a reason to be thankful for literally everything steals that thing’s power and enables me to now embrace the hardship eagerly.
GOOD
Got sick after a work trip? That’s awesome now I can take a much needed mental break from planning and editing. Strained my back and can’t powerlift? Great, I’ve been needing to work on mobility and cardio more. Frustrated with an edit? Perfect opportunity to practice problem solving and work on overcoming obstacles.
Why it Matters
I talked a lot about the importance of toughness for men. Being physically strong, dangerous, and capable of violence. But mental and emotional strength and capability is equally if not more important. I’m learning to employ thankfulness as a tool to mental and emotional strength, stability, and endurance. It’s not easy and takes deliberation, but so far it has been effective.
Giving Thanks
Now, here are some things I’m thankful for this season:
God, Family, Country. To many this is a patriotic slogan. To me, this is the exact order of my priorities, what I’m most thankful for, and MY WHY. Honor God, serve and care for my wife and daughter, and serve and uphold my country and Her values as a responsible citizen.
You! Cheesy but who cares. I’m constantly receiving encouragement in what I’m doing and have followers, subscribers, and friends that have been with me since 200 on Instagram. I hope I give you reason to stick around till…200,000? Then and now, thank you for your support.
Let’s strap up and arm ourselves with thanksgiving as we close out 2023, shall we?
Be Civil, Stay Savage,
Peter
