At The Paragon we believe ATTITUDE is EVERYTHING… Each day, we have dozens of reasons to give thanks. Yet we generally take these things for granted and fail to see them as precious items to be cherished. Of course, when any one of them is taken from us, even temporarily, we take notice. But, day in and day out, we rarely consider our blessings.
Why am I making such a big fuss about this? It’s simple. When you focus on gratitude and other positive emotions, you feel better and are more relaxed, more creative and more productive. You also have a positive influence on those around you.
Here, then, are a few things you can do to cultivate an “attitude of gratitude” in your life:
1) Think about your blessings daily. The key is to develop a habit of focusing on things you are grateful for. Put a note on your bathroom mirror or carry a card in your wallet or purse with the message, “Count Your Blessings.” Set aside time each to reflect on how fortunate you are. This isn’t a time-consuming chore, and you’ll be amazed at the results!
2) Verbalize your gratitude. During conversations at work and at home, express your appreciation for all of the wonderful things and people in your life. We live in a country that allows you freedom of expression and the right to pursue your dreams, tell others how much you appreciate that.
3) Shift the focus away from difficulties. When problems arise and you’ve done all you can to remedy them, train your mind to bring your attention back to your blessings. This helps you to keep things in perspective-- e.g. recognizing that your health and basic necessities in life are more important than anything.
4) Lift others in need. One of the best ways to use your gifts (health, energy, attitude, etc.) is to share them with others who are having a rough time. Can you lend a helping hand to a friend, relative or other person in your community? Merely spending time with someone in need or giving a few words of encouragement can make a tremendous difference to that person, while helping you to develop a deeper sense of gratitude about how well-off you are. It costs you nothing to be grateful and appreciative, yet it has a considerable impact on the quality of your life. So, don’t waste another minute. Every day, reflect on the priceless gifts you’ve been enjoying. Openly share your gratitude with others.
And, the next time somebody asks if anything great happened to you today, you’ll have plenty to say!
Staff Appreciation
As we approach the season of giving, it is important that each resident and family member understand that The Paragon staff members and volunteers are here to make each resident’s life better and easier.
Although it is a nice gesture, we believe that it is in the best interest of all to not allow tipping of the staff or volunteers of The Paragon. They have been instructed that it is against our policy for them to accept tips for services rendered.
When a staff member or volunteer has been particularly helpful and courteous, it is appropriate for you to thank the individual and, if you wish, inform me of the exemplary nature of their service.
In lieu of gratuities, you may donate to the staff appreciation fund which benefits all employees. We know that each staff member is grateful for these gifts.
Let’s all be thankful for all of the wonderful things we enjoy, living in the greatest country on earth.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Nancy
