Gratitude as the Art of AND: Embracing the Beauty of Paradox

It’s possible that the biggest misconception about gratitude is the belief that it's an either-or proposition. But what happens when we discover the real power of gratitude is actually the art of AND?

Do you even find yourself stuck in the binary thinking trap of either everything is great, or everything is terrible?

Life is rarely that simple. The truth is, we can be struggling in some areas and thriving in others. We can grieve the loss of something or someone dear while also appreciating the beauty and goodness they added to our lives.

Personally - Embracing the Paradox

Maybe you've experienced times of struggle and hardship this year -- maybe you're experiencing them now. You may find yourself enveloped in darkness now and feel there is nothing to be grateful for. But even in the midst of struggle and hardship, gratitude can help you find a glimmer of hope.

As Rumi so eloquently put it, "The wound is the place where the light enters you." Gratitude helps us find the light in the darkness, even when it feels like the darkness is all-consuming.

I've found myself in this exact situation recently. Reflecting on the past year, I've faced challenges that persist, but I'm also very grateful for the opportunities that have come from them.

It's not either-or; it's both-and. I can acknowledge the pain and still appreciate the growth.

My friend, John Horn, SHRM-SCP, MPA, recently shared a powerful insight that resonated with me. He reflected on a difficult day with his adult kids and realized the importance of appreciating their time together, despite his frustrations.

As John so eloquently put it, "Savoring the moments means taking both the good and the challenging ones."

His words reminded us that gratitude is not about ignoring difficulties, but recognizing the beauty in everyday moments.

Interpersonally - Seeing Strengths Amidst Quirks

Certainly you’ve worked with someone who drove you crazy, but also happens to be a genius at what they do. Or maybe it's a team member who always seems to find the one thing that's going wrong, but also has a heart of gold.

The truth is, we're all quirky, and we all have strengths and weaknesses.

Gratitude helps us shift our focus from the annoyances to the unique contributions each person brings.

As Brené Brown so eloquently puts it, "You are imperfect, and you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging." Gratitude helps us see the worthiness in ourselves and others, even amidst the quirks and imperfections.

My friend, Nicole Glocke, recently wrote a beautiful post about the interplay of sonder and gratitude in the workplace. She noted that,

The beauty of sonder and gratitude is they make the workplace less about you and more about us. They transform annoying coworkers into complex characters in this bizarre sitcom we call work…Gratitude keeps you sane. Sonder keeps you kind.

Her words highlighted that gratitude goes beyond personal thanks; it's about fostering community and connections with others. Enjoy her complete post here.

Organizationally - Expressing Gratitude in Challenging Times

I saw a post from Korn Ferry discussing the difficulties of writing an end-of-year note, especially in a tough year.

But what if you approached this task with a sense of gratitude? What if you expressed appreciation for the efforts, progress, and perseverance of our teams, even in the face of adversity?

Gratitude is not about ignoring difficulties; it's about acknowledging the good that exists alongside those challenges.

An epiphany on my journey is, "Gratitude is the gateway to abundance." By focusing on what we're grateful for, we open ourselves up to new possibilities and opportunities.

It’s Your Turn Now

Gratitude is not an either-or proposition; it's the art of AND.

It's about embracing the complexities of life, acknowledging the darkness, and still finding the beauty and goodness. It's about recognizing that we can be struggling and thriving at the same time.

So, I invite you to join me in practicing gratitude as the art of AND. Share with us your own experiences of finding gratitude in the midst of challenges. Let's create a community that celebrates the beauty of paradox and the power of gratitude.

Invitation: Share your thoughts on gratitude as the art of AND in the comments below. How have you found gratitude in the midst of challenges?

What practices have helped you cultivate a more nuanced approach to gratitude?