MCP105: Practicing Daily Thankfulness and Building Deeper Connections w/ Ely

This solo episode is a little different. It’s my birthday week, so I took the mic to reflect on gratitude, milestones, and what truly matters as another year turns.

"Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." - Buddhist saying

Gratitude gets tossed around a lot in November, but this year I wanted to slow down and dig into what it really means, well beyond a quick “thanks.” I’ve grown a lot personally and professionally, and I noticed that intentionally focusing on appreciation is what helped me break out of some tough stretches.

I share why surface-level gratitude isn’t enough, and how deep appreciation can actually change your perspective and relationships. I talk about moving to Dallas-Fort Worth, making new connections, and how a single introduction kicked off a whole chain of positive events in my life.

I break down the daily practice that’s made a difference for me: writing five things I’m grateful for every morning. Plus I throw out a challenge for you to reach out to three people who’ve been your “gardeners” this year.

Here’s what stood out:

• The difference between quick gratitude and real, deep appreciation, and why the latter matters for happiness.
• How to spot the chain of events that led to something positive in your life, instead of just the outcome.
• The practical power of saying thank you, publicly and privately, to people who move you forward.
• Simple, specific ways to express appreciation (think audio or video messages, not just notes).
• Why intentionally focusing on gratitude rewires your mind, builds stronger connections, and reduces burnout.

If you want to connect or dig deeper, I’m always happy to connect with listeners. You can reach out to me directly if you want to chat further or if I can help with anything at all.

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