The Two Words That Are Better Than Sorry

Pilates & Co. owner, fitness trainer and mum Roz Norman explains why she’s stopped apologising and is replacing 'I'm sorry' with gratitude instead.

I just read the most amazing article that put a smile on my face from ear to ear. I needed to read this article! Funny how these things come along when most needed.I had a stressful morning and had taken my frustration and stress out on the one that is closest to me - my husband. We are all guilty of this. I'm not sure of the solution on this one, but anyway read on and hear my thoughts.I have always preached to new employees and teammates to 'not sweat the small stuff'. Take it on the chin and solve the problem and to not show your stress. It will do you and the situation no good. Yet, sometimes I find myself sweating the small stuff and getting worked up. Perhaps an overload of multiple businesses, husband's stressful job, three kids, giving my all to my clients and running a busy household might have something to do with it. It can be just a small thing that can tip you over the edge, and that’s what it was for me.The article that I read today talks about swapping 'sorry' for 'thank you'. Instead of saying 'sorry I am late', swap it for 'thank you for waiting for me'. This Aussie fitness GURU had many great contacts along the way while living and working his way up in the London Fitness Industry and many gifts from people in the right places and all because he showed gratitude in all his years in the business. He never let his ego go to his head and always remembered to say 'thank you'.Reading this has made me question myself. Am I saying 'thank you' enough? I feel like I have let myself down with my thank yous. I have just got too busy, too much on my plate! Is this a terrible excuse? Well, it is one that makes me want to lessen my load so that I can just acknowledge and show gratitude for the small things and the big things in my life. So, today I am drawing a line in the sand to lessen the load, focus on the important things, to not sweat the small stuff, to practice more pilates and movement and to say 'THANK YOU'. I will also be telling my husband 'thank you' for standing by me and supporting me when I most need it!

As James Duigan said: 'Gratitude is a wonderful gift, and it doesn’t cost anything to say thank you. It has the power to change someone’s day! ...It can also change your life. It can shift your mindset and the way you feel about yourself. Best of all it will improve your relationships with others that get to experience your positivity and not your negative energy.'(You can find James' original article here.)