Harrumph! People are always talking about gratitude...and life is hard sometimes. Are they kidding??? Must we always be focused in this schmaltzy way??? In a word.....yes. Not that we aren't sad or angry or frustrated. And not that there aren't problems and things that others and ourselves need to be held accountable for. But if we aren't grateful then we become bitter. How do we stay grateful when things are hard or just plain wrong? Be grateful for the lessons learned. The patience. The friends who support when you're sick. The things that ARE working. The love that IS there. If we are always focused on what isn't then that is what we will remember and that is what our minds will have to look back on when we are 80. When we are focused on the gratitude then we are creating neuropathways in our brains that help us dwell on the appreciations vs. the problems. There will always be problems. In our work, our relationships, our politics (!!!), and our society - it's called evolution. Ultimately, gratitude is something we do for ourselves because it creates a nicer environment for us to live in internally and a nicer life for us to look back on.
Be Thankful
Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference.
It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.
GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.
~ Author Unknown ~
And in the spirit of gratitude, I share this oldie: Thank you for being a friend!
Be Thankful
Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference.
It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.
GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.
~ Author Unknown ~
And in the spirit of gratitude, I share this oldie: Thank you for being a friend!