Gratitude Isn’t Just An Attitude
by Jodie Bentley
I know, I know - every newsletter in your inbox this month is about being grateful – I just read three of them myself! But what I want you to realize is that gratitude is a powerful gift. You have no idea how that simple thank you card, or email, or $10 contribution impacts the receiver’s life, which in turn impacts someone else, which in turn impacts someone else and so on and so on.
It is one thing to be grateful and it is another thing to act upon that gratitude.
On September 13, The Savvy Actor led a team of 34 artists at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure here in NYC. We organized the team as a way to encourage our clients and friends to use their talent and connections to actively give back to the community. Collectively our team raised over $12,400 to support breast cancer research through contributions by more than 260 donors. Amazing!
I have to say thank you again to all those who walked and donated - it was a great day.
Our team’s success is evidence that when actors focus their creativity and motivate their networks, the results can change the world. Artists have a powerful voice; they make a difference. Many of us think we need to have a lot of money to help support a cause. You don’t have to be a ‘Brangelina’, to make a difference if you give of yourself and show appreciation and gratitude to those who need it.
This November I urge you to find the things you are grateful for in your life. Who in your life makes you feel grateful, who in your life has helped you, who makes you want to reach out, what cause motivates you – to take action. Show your appreciation. Activate your gratitude. I took action to organize our team for the Race for the Cure. I was motivated to give back not only because I’m a breast cancer survivor, but because I’m thankful to all the volunteers everywhere who have donated their time to a cause that now matters to me. I’m thankful for the support of my family, friends, and all of you when I needed it most. I’m thankful for all the survivors who have a story and who want to be heard. Forming our team was a way to thank all those people with action. But it’s not just causes -- show active gratitude to your friends, your spouse, your agents, your family. By acting on that gratitude, you will not only change your corner of the world for the better but yourself as well.
I tell many of my clients to keep a success journal. Every day write down five successes from that day and three things to be grateful about. But it’s what you do with that gratitude that counts. Feel grateful, acknowledge your appreciation, but most importantly -- act on it.
