Gratitude Lifts Our Attitude
On Wednesday, this picture and a message from FB was posted on my timeline. Seems this was the first photo I ever uploaded from my phone to FB. Obviously, I was in the gratitude mode at this time back then. I hope I never change!
It is a product of our upbringing and circumstances that we are “by nature” either complainers or praisers. Most people would agree that we have a lot to be grateful for. After all, most of us live a lifestyle of conveniences — comfortable homes, nice clothes, reliable transportation, no shortage of clean water or healthy food. We have access to quality healthcare and education, and basically live a good life with freedom, in safety and security.
It’s easy to take these wonderful blessings for granted and sometimes get into the bad habit of focusing on what we don’t have while millions of people around the world live without the basic necessities of life. I remember our missions trips to South Africa, Belize and Mexico, visiting those who lived in small huts and cardboard dwellings with a minimum of conveniences and witnessing children digging for food and anything worth selling in a city dump. Lord, may I remember them, especially when I even start to complain about ANYTHING!
Just think about the blessings we often overlook — like getting dressed on our own, driving to work, going to the grocery store, sending emails and text messages, and hundreds of other routine activities of life. It’s where the majority of our time goes, so why not learn to show gratitude for them? Choosing an attitude of gratitude not only honors God…it’s good for us!
No matter what, it’s possible to BECOME grateful — even if it’s not our natural “bent”, but it does take discipline. It takes practice and doing it over and over again. The reality is that a grateful heart will make way for finding the good in EVERYTHING we encounter. Best of all, it opens the door for blessings. We just have to replace complaints and fault finding, with praise and thanksgiving. I love Nancie Carmody’s thought-provoking words that turn complaining to thanksgiving:
I AM THANKFUL
…for the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
…for.the taxes I pay because it means that I’m employed.
…for the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.
…for my shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.
…for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.
…for the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.
…for my huge heating bill because it means I am warm.
…for all the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.
…for the lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.
…for the piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby.
…for the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I’m alive.
…for weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been productive.
— Nancie J. Carmody
Oh, how blessed we are! Thank You, Heavenly Father, for the blessings of You, my friends and family and all the many, many reasons you’ve given me to be grateful today!