Gratitude Kuel Category Expert: Lori Saitz
Since this is my first time writing an article here on Kuel Life as the Gratitude Expert, it’s only appropriate to share how this journey began. Perhaps you’ll see some of yourself in this story.
Back in 2003, I started my baking company making a product that came to be known worldwide as The Gratitude Cookie. It’s kind of a cross between a butter and sugar cookie, based on a family recipe. I wasn’t looking to be the next Mrs. Fields. Instead, it was about creating customized gift packages as a tool for business people to say thank you to clients and people who sent them referrals.
The irony was, I was not a particularly grateful person. I would often focus on what was wrong in my life. What I didn’t have. What wasn’t working. I did not join the gratitude journey at that time.
The Challenge:
My mentor Paul Martinelli called me on it. He challenged me to read Chapter 7, on gratitude, of Wallace D. Wattle’s classic 1910 book “The Science of Getting Rich” every day, morning and evening, for 30 days.
I said, “Ok, Paul. I’ll take you up on that challenge.”
It’s not a long chapter, three pages in the printed version of the book I have. Here are a few choice lines:
- “Many people who order their lives rightly in all other ways are kept in poverty by their lack of gratitude.”
- “You cannot exercise much power without gratitude; for it is gratitude that keeps you connected to Power.”
- “But the value of gratitude does not consist solely in getting you more blessings in the future. Without gratitude, you cannot long keep from dissatisfied thought regarding things as they are.”
- “Faith is born of gratitude. The grateful mind continually expects good things, and expectation becomes faith.”
“Truthfully, NOTHING noteworthy happened!”
Guess what happened at the end of the 30 days…
The editors from O Magazine called and wanted to put The Gratitude Cookies in the Oprah’s favorite things section! Can you believe it?!
Well, don’t. Because that didn’t happen. Truthfully, NOTHING noteworthy happened! Still, I did not join the gratitude journey.
The Change:
It wasn’t until several months later that I noticed a change.
My husband, at the time, and I were driving home from a friend’s house on Thanksgiving eve when smoke started pouring out of the front of my car. I managed to pull off I-95 at the next exit and roll into an open gas station right there. We called a tow truck and sat there waiting.
“finding gratitude in every situation makes you happier”
Normally, I would have gone into a rage in this situation. THIS SUCKS!!! WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME?! I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!
But that’s not what happened this time. Instead, I went immediately to gratitude. I finally felt like I joined the gratitude journey.
“Thank goodness we were able to get off the highway safely!” Thankfully, we’re only five miles from home! Thank goodness a tow truck is coming to get us this late on a holiday night.
Kind of interesting this happened on THANKSGIVING eve, isn’t it?!
Turns out that even if you’re not a naturally grateful person, you can become one with practice and intention.
I went on to continue studying and talking about all aspects of gratitude. It’s pretty amazing – from how it can differentiate and boost your business to how it can improve your physical health. Not only does finding gratitude in every situation makes you happier, but it also makes others happier to be around you.
What’s On Deck For Upcoming Articles?
In upcoming articles, you’ll find a lot more about how gratitude…
- changes your brain chemistry,
- improves your relationships,
- increases your self-esteem,
- makes you more resilient,
- and so many more kuel stories.
The baking company closed in 2014, so yes, sadly Gratitude Cookies are no longer in commercial production. And even though I took a detour away from teaching it, gratitude remains my jam. I look forward to sharing more stories and information you can apply to your own life’s journey in the coming months. Because when you sprinkle in gratitude, that journey becomes so much more joyful.
A Question & An Offer:
What’s been your experience with practicing gratitude? I’d love to include it in these articles.
Oh, and if you’ve not read “The Science of Getting Rich,” I highly recommend you do. It’s in the public domain now, which means you can find it online for free. Or download a free PDF version here.
About the Author:
Lori Saitz loves sharing the power of gratitude and meditation with entrepreneurial professionals who hire her to help them boost business success and achieve life goals faster – without working harder. She is the CEO of Zen Rabbit, host of the podcast “FINE is a 4-Letter Word,” and a sought-after speaker. When she’s not working, you can find Lori in the weight room at the gym, because she also loves baking and eating. See more at the Zen Rabbit website and connect with her on LinkedIn.
