GRATITUDE
PRACTICE
Five People Who Changed
the Course of Your Life
the Course of Your Life
Some people stay in our lives for years. Others may appear only briefly. Yet a single conversation, piece of advice, act of support, or unexpected encounter can change the direction of an entire life.
This exercise is about recognizing those turning points — and the people who helped create them.
PEOPLE TOUCH OUR LIVES
FAR DEEPER THAN WE OFTEN REALIZE.
FAR DEEPER THAN WE OFTEN REALIZE.
CHAPTER 4 | PRACTICE
CHOOSE
FIVE PEOPLE
FIVE PEOPLE
Think of five people who significantly influenced the course of your life. It could be a teacher, friend, colleague, mentor, family member, partner, or even someone you knew only briefly.
The important question is: Did something change in the direction of my life because of this person?
Perhaps they encouraged you to move to another city or country, choose a profession, leave a job, start a business, end or begin a relationship, pursue a dream, take a risk, or simply see yourself and your possibilities differently.
2
FIND
THE TURNING POINT
THE TURNING POINT
For each person, identify three things:
WHO?
Who was this person?
WHAT HAPPENED?
What did they say or do? Describe the conversation, advice, support, opportunity, introduction, or insight.
WHAT CHANGED?
What happened in your life as a result? What decision did you make? Where did that decision eventually lead you?
3
WRITE
YOUR GRATITUDE
YOUR GRATITUDE
For each of the five people, complete:
I am grateful to ______ for ______.
Because of this, I ______.
This changed my life by ______.
Because of this, I ______.
This changed my life by ______.
Be specific. The purpose is to see the connection between one seemingly small moment and everything that followed from it.
4
THANK THEM
When you have finished writing all five stories, find a quiet place and close your eyes. Bring the first person to mind. See their face and remember the moment you described.
Then mentally tell them what their words, actions, or presence ultimately brought into your life.
Thank them sincerely. Take your time, then move to the next person until you have completed all five.
1
ONE FINAL QUESTION
How much of what I have in my life today exists because someone, somewhere along the way, gave me exactly what I needed at that moment?
2 PAGES | PDF | PRINT OR FILL DIGITALLY
GRATITUDE TURNS THE ORDINARY INTO THE EXTRAORDINARY.