Gratitude

Give Thanks

November 21, 2022 by Lee H. Baucom, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

Thanksgiving, the holiday, is often lost in food and family. What is lost? Our opportunity to experience gratitude. The chance to really give thanks.

Many times, it can feel like an obligation. Instead, I suggest we see it as an opportunity. Even in tough moments (actually, especially in tough moments), we can make a shift from fear to thanks, from lack to sufficiency.

Over the years of my podcast, I have repeated this theme, both on Thanksgiving episodes and elsewhere. Below is a list of the various episodes around thanksgiving and gratitude. Just click each one to listen to the episodes.

>> Why Thankful?

>> Why Being Thankful Matters

>> Giving Thanks: Thriving Through Gratitude

>> What Thriving People Know About Gratitude And Appreciation

>> Living Your Engagement

And if you want to find my books on thriving, CLICK HERE.

How to Live a Meaningful Life

September 6, 2022 by Lee H. Baucom, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

Just a little rant here: philosophy classes turn off many college students for a simple reason — they never get around to saying how philosophy can shake your living. Some classes might teach more on “how to think philosophically,” or “here are the old philosophers.” Some may speak to ethics or arguments, logic or some other esoteric area. But how to live, day-to-day? That is often lost to the student.

(By they way, I would offer this as an issue with much of theology, too. Lots of talk about what not to do, what God (or gods) might be like, and how to judge how others live… but not so much clarity on living day-to-day. But that is a rant for another day!)

Anyway, philosophy, as originally taught in ancient days, was exactly for deciding how to live. How should you act, feel, and think? As different schools of philosophy might point out, that all depends upon your basic ideas of what a meaningful life might be.

Sometimes, we are already acting in ways that point to our idea of meaning, even without a philosophical basis. I think of this as our “natural philosophy” — how we have made sense of the world.

After my first book, many people asked if I was a Stoic. At that time, I had only a passing concept of that philosophy. Just one of those old schools of philosophy from a bygone age. But after hearing it a number of times, I started investigating. Sure enough, much of my approach to living day-to-day was Stoic. Huh.

Then, I started finding others that had this same experience. One of those is Vitaliy Katsenelson. He is the CEO of an investment company. But his story goes back to his family’s immigration to the United States, from Russia, when Vitaliy was a child. He was old enough to still remember those memories of a dying USSR (and to hold onto a bit of an accent), but young enough to find his way through American culture.

After writing several books on investing (including the psychology of investing), Vitaliy took to talking about life. Not just professional life. But other areas of life. Art, music, chess, and family life were grist for the mill of exploring meaning.

This led to Vitaliy’s latest book, Soul In The Game. While in the process of writing, Vitaliy stumbled upon Stoic thought and found a new home there. He incorporates that into this book, to further his exploration into the meaningful life (a slightly different question than the meaning of life).

I had a chance to sit down and chat with Vitaliy about a wide range of issues and topics, all related to how life becomes meaningful, and how to find that meaning. Listen to this episode of the Thriveology Podcast to find out more.

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Change Your Algorithms

May 2, 2022 by Lee H. Baucom, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

All around the news, we are hearing about algorithms built into our social media. It directs what we see and hear. It is how all social media decides what to feed you next. If you like this video, then you might like this one. If you know this person, then you may know this person. If you respond to this ad, then you might respond to this one. The task? To keep you on the app or the website. Because that is the thing about social media: they want your attention and your time.

But guess what? You have algorithms that are running inside of you. They are your “Personal Algorithms.” They are your habits that run your daily life. And they don’t really function that differently than what the tech companies use.

In essence, algorithms are simply If/Then formulas. “If” this happens, “then” you do this. In life, they represent your own daily habits and reactions. The “If” is a trigger. Something happens. And when it does, you “then” do something. If your stomach growls, then you grab a bite to eat. If you are walking by the cookie jar, then you grab one and eat it. If the alarm goes off, then you hit the snooze several times. If/Then.

Those algorithms can keep you stuck or free you up, depending on how you use them.

My guest this week is Michael Balchan. He is the CEO of Heroic.us, an app based approach to thriving more in life. Listen in as we discuss your habits, your life, your algorithms, and how to be on your own “heroic journey.”

Throughout his adulthood, Michael has been trying to not just “punch the clock,” but to thrive. And over the years, he immersed himself in learning and executing. He sought wisdom from others, then worked to apply it into his life.

Along the way, he moved from finance professional to professional coach. And on that path, he realized his own mission was to help the world to thrive.

On this episode, we talk about ways to thrive, and a new resource to help you thrive.

Listen below.

RELATED RESOURCES:
Heroic.us
Thrive Principles Simplified
The Habits Series

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Start Here

April 11, 2022 by Lee H. Baucom, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

YouAreHere “Where should I start?”, my client asked.

Lots of times, we want to make changes, we want things to be different. And sometimes, we want things to be different before we make any changes.

We want a different starting point.

If you’ve ever been at a park or mall, looking at the map to figure out where to go, you might notice that one very important feature, “You Are Here.” It points to the spot where you are now.

Not where you want to go. Not where you want to be.

But where you are.

If you are at the mall and see the store you want… on the other side of the mall, you might wish you were standing nearby, near the destination store. Not all the way across the mall.

But if you are on the other side of the mall, that is where you are. Navigating to the destination from a closer point — a point where you are NOT — is not likely to be effective.

You start where you are.

And you might just find… it is a pretty good place to start.

Listen to this podcast episode for how to start where you are, and why where you are is a pretty good place to start.

RELATED RESOURCES
Accepting What Is
Limiting Beliefs
Making Changes
Book: The Immutable Laws of Living

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Contribution

January 24, 2022 by Lee H. Baucom, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

When I talk about Thriveology, many people say, “Oh, that is more of that ‘being happy’ stuff, isn’t it?”

My response: No. Well, not just that. Sure, being happy is fine. No need to avoid being happy! But that is only one dimension of life.

It IS the dimension of life that hedonism celebrates and pursues. If it feels good, do it. Enjoy life. Have a good time. Seek out pleasure and avoid pain.

Except that doesn’t lead much to thriving. It posits your satisfaction with life externally to you. It is THAT thing that makes you happy, brings you pleasure, makes life worthwhile.

Eudaimonia was the counterpoint in greek thought. This is the pursuit of life satisfaction by what things mean to you internally. It is how you bring meaning, enjoyment, and satisfaction into your life from within.

And there is a cornerstone of that: Contribution. What we GIVE to the world, versus what we GET from the world. Giving versus Taking.

Research has long pointed out the power of giving and contributing to the mental health, wellbeing, meaning/purpose, and satisfaction of people to their lives. Which is why it is part of The Thrive Code.

Listen below to learn why contribution matters and some principles of doing it.

RELATED RESOURCES:
Challenge
Control
Community
Lee’s Books

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Redux: Merry Stressness!

December 13, 2021 by Lee H. Baucom, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

And just like that, the Holiday season is upon us! All the hustle and bustle. All the events. All the demands… in the midst of a time that you want to be enjoyable, meaningful, and manageable!

Why the stress?

In a repeat of last year’s podcast (since we still have that holiday stress!), I discuss the causes of holiday stress. But more importantly, I cover the ways to cope with holiday stress.

Don’t let stress rob you of the deeper meanings and connections of this holiday season.

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Does Gratitude Matter?

November 23, 2021 by Lee H. Baucom, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

Be thankful. Be grateful. Shift mindsets and thrive. 4 ways to focus on gratitude. If you are in the States, we are on the cusp of the Holiday season, kicking off with Thanksgiving in just a few days.

For me, the Holidays throughout the year are moments to step into gratitude. Not just in a little “thank you for that gift,” but in a gratitude for being alive. For being here. For experiencing life.

Each morning, while walking the neighborhood with my dogs, Ziggy and Clementine, I reflect on 5 things for which I am grateful. That starts my day with an attempt to shift my attention to thankfulness, to gratitude.

Granted, some days, that feeling quickly evaporates when the work piles up.

But I try to remember to be grateful on a daily basis.

How about you?

Did you know that research shows how simple gratitude habits can re-wire the brain… away from fear and threat? Away from depression and anxiety? Just by thinking with gratitude. Just by focusing on things for which you are grateful.

In this episode of the Thriveology Podcast, I discuss the power of gratitude to shift your thinking and re-wire your brain… just in time for a day we set aside to be particularly Thankful.

Know that I am thankful for you, my reader/listener. Wishing you the best of Thanksgivings!

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Change in the Shadow of Terror

September 6, 2021 by Lee H. Baucom, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

Sometimes, success comes from being at the right place at the right time. Sometimes, tragedy comes from being at the wrong place at the wrong time. But what happens when you are at the right place at the wrong time?

For Kushal Choksi, it saved his life. It was September 11, 2001. Kushal was running late, and rushing to get to a meeting in the World Trade Towers. He was racing through the mezzanine when a horrific impact jarred him and threw the world into chaos. What had happened? What should they do?

Some people were frozen in place. Others were fleeing the building. Still others were simply trying to get back to their day, oblivious to the danger that was mounting. Choksi headed for the door, but was met by a security guard who was imploring people to return to the building. Given the debris raining down, that made some sense.

But before he could turn, another voice and a strong hand on his shoulder said, “No, get out!” Kushal did. That decision saved his life.

And that day completely reordered Choksi’s life. He was lost for some time after. What seemed like the recipe for success was floundering. It was not just about being wealthy and powerful. Somehow, the “American Dream” no longer seemed the goal.

What then?

After much seeking, Kushal found his way forward with new tools for dealing with his anxiety and fears. And that led him to another path of success.

In this episode of the Thriveology Podcast, as we approach the 20th anniversary of that horrific attack, I had a chance to sit down with Kushal and talk about meaning, purpose, breath, and mindfulness.

Listen below.

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5 Lessons from 55 Trips Around the Sun

March 22, 2021 by Lee H. Baucom, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

Another year has passed. I added a year to when I answer, “How old are you?” Well, at least in theory. I am an unreliable narrator for reporting my age. By accident. But on a repeated basis.

That said, as I recorded this episode of the podcast, and write these words, I am celebrating 55 trips around the sun (and I complain I don’t get to travel much!).

I’m not sure about claiming wisdom, but I do claim some lessons from those years. Lessons I keep learning and relearning. Lessons I must remind myself about. But lessons that matter to my life.

While there are quite a few, 5 seemed to be appropriate for 55 years. 5 lessons from 55 years on this earth!

I’d love to hear the lessons you’ve learned! And I’d love to hear any questions or thoughts you might have about thriving. But until then, listen in on the 5 lessons I have learned (and keep learning), and let me know if they are lessons you share.

Listen below.

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What A Year!

March 9, 2021 by Lee H. Baucom, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

What a year! It was one year ago this week that I was on my last business trip. I was at an event with my publisher. Already, we knew COVID was out, and knew it was gaining steam. Other countries had already gone into lockdown… and the US was on the precipice.

While I was away, my wife and I were coordinating with our adult children, trying to make sure we could get them to our home before travel was locked down. That weekend, both came home.

We thought it might be a number of weeks. They were thinking two to three. I was thinking a month or a bit more.

That ended up being months on end. They spent more of 2020 in our home than in their own places.

The economy screeched to a halt, trips were canceled, schools were closed. And our medical system started to strain, faltering under the weight of one illness closing off some areas, while filling others.

It seemed like every day, there was some new shift, new discovery, new point of vulnerability. And in its wake, we, as a country and a world, strained to cope. The grief poured out in anger and despair. Some continued their grief in the world of denial.

And still, the numbers climbed. Families lost loved ones. Spouses lost partners. The world lost citizens. To the point that we could no longer truly comprehend the numbers. Some people recalculated by throwing caution to the wind. Others recalibrated to a life in isolation, hoping that was safe.

One year later. What a year!

Oh, and it isn’t over! Although there are plenty of places and people trying to move on, we are still in the midst of a crisis. While there is a place, in the not-so-distant future, where we get back to a life much more similar to a bit more than a year ago, we aren’t there yet.

And we are also now seeing that the pandemic will not end equally. It hasn’t impacted citizens equally, and the end will come just as unequally. But it will come. How do we get there? I hope together, and I hope a bit wiser.

In this week’s Thriveology Podcast, I think about the shifts and impacts of this past year.

RELATED RESOURCES:
Coping with COVID Series
Finding or Building Hope
Moving Through Grief

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