Gratitude is the quality of being thankful, the readiness to show appreciation, and to return kindness. Being truly grateful for what you have, and focusing on what is going right in your life instead of what is not, changes your mindset. Numerous studies have proven that living a life of gratefulness is linked to better overall health- as well as mental health. How much time a day do you spend complaining about what is going wrong in your life? I know I have been guilty of giving far too much time, effort, and energy to the negative instead of being grateful for all of the things that are right.
If you were to make a list right now of the things that are good and positive, how long would your list be? Now, if you were to list the things you believe are not right, could be better, or are just simply wrong in your life- which list would be longer? Could you point out the small blessings that we take for granted daily, every hour, and even every minute? Let’s think about it: having your eyesight to read this blog post right now is a blessing and something to be grateful for. Being able to see and read is just the beginning; are you comprehending what you are reading? If so, there is another item to list on the “grateful” side.
You are breathing without thinking about it. Your heart is pumping and sending reoxygenated blood to every cell in your body without you thinking about it. Your brain is telling every organ, tissue, and cell what to do, when, and how to do it- without one conscious thought on your part. You woke up this morning. Maybe it was to an alarm clock, and you are grumbling, or maybe it was without one, and you still are grumbling because you couldn’t sleep. LOL, The fact is you woke up, which is a gift many deny daily.
When we shift our minds from what is going wrong to what is going right, we change. We see things through a different lens. It is not the darkness’s gloom and doom but the light’s brightness and elevation.
Let’s all try an experiment for a week; if we see an improvement, we will continue; if not, we can quit. Before a single grumble can roll off our lips, let us think of three things, we are grateful for at that moment. Make sure it is pertinent to the situation. For example, your children are fussing about chores. Before you (I) join in on the fiasco, take 3 deep breaths and, with each exhalation speak out what you are grateful for in that moment. 1.) I am grateful, to God, for giving me the gift of children. 2.) I am grateful that we have a home to clean and cleaning supplies to utilize. 3.) I am grateful that our children are healthy enough to argue.
That may sound silly, so let’s take a different perspective. How many couples would give their left arm and leg to have the opportunity to have children? How many parents have an estranged relationship with their child/children or, because of other reasons, cannot see them? How many people still need a home? Or if they do, they are struggling to make ends meet and may not have the financial means to purchase cleaning supplies. How many parents are watching their children suffer from a deadly disease, and they don’t have the fight within them to even participate in any of the above?
Gratitude must become my attitude. If I continue to look at the lacking or the negative, I will see more and more of it. But if I start looking for the positive and the overflow in every situation, my vision will change, and I will begin to see more and more of the goodness God has given me, my family, and my friends.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
