In the Beginning…

“What are you glad you’ve got?  I could ask you what you’re mad about, but we’d probably be here all day.  We get to that emotion quickly, don’t we?  Have you noticed it takes almost no time to share our anger?”

How can we change the world?  It seems like a [...]]]> “Gratitude In Today’s Time”

In the Beginning…

“What are you glad you’ve got?  I could ask you what you’re mad about, but we’d probably be here all day.  We get to that emotion quickly, don’t we?  Have you noticed it takes almost no time to share our anger?”

How can we change the world?  It seems like a huge assignment.  It’s more simple than we think.  Changing the world begins with us.  Me.  You.  When you make some sound decisions about how you want to feel, think, act; the world changes.  Like a ripple in a pond, the effects reach much further than when it began at the center. 

When we answer the question “What are we grateful for?”  Most of us pause.  We might come up with a quick “My family” but let’s dig a little deeper.  Would this next question apply to any of us?  “If we’re so grateful for our family, why do we spend so much time griping at them or about them?”

I’m going to make a statement that might sound like I’m over-simplifying life.  But, since I’ve lived @# years, I’m going to risk it.  I believe, that if we, meaning the world, were truly grateful for what we have, and for our life and for the life of those we love, the world would change by that one feeling and action.  Think about it for a while.  Make a list that would go on for days.  Write down the things you’re grateful for, no matter how small, and see what happens.

It’s pretty difficult to be grumpy, mad, selfish, hateful, resentful, sad, depressed, upset, worried, negative, and critical when you’re thinking of all the positive parts of life.

Here’s what I think you’ll find.  As create your list,  your burdens will lift from your shoulders, you’ll walk with energy,  and your whole approach to life will change.  Gratitude can change the world.  What would happen, if  people all in your family, neighborhood, church, clubs, service organizations, city, state, government, country,  just increased their gratitude?  Nothing else, just that.  I wonder what would happen to the way we talk and deal with others.  I would love to live long enough to see that.

First, it begins with you, me, us.  Then, and here’s the best part….it’s contagious.  Yep, gratitude is one of the most contagious diseases around.  Have you used it today?  Do it, you’ll see.  People will smile. 

For example, we could start here:

Driving: 

• let the car that needs to, merge into your lane. 
• Slow down and let cars turn left or right without a honk of annoyance from you. 
• go the speed limit or 5 miles under, save gas
• let pedestrians cross in front of you
• signal when changing lanes
• don’t run stop or yellow lights
• be grateful for your car and gas

Shopping:

• Smile
• look cashiers in the eye
• be pleasant to others in aisles
• slow down enough to enjoy the things you aren’t buying
• be polite to those you encounter
• be grateful for the money to purchase
• be grateful for the huge amount of items from which to choose
• be grateful for the time you spent

Cleaning house:

• enjoy the task at hand
• enjoy the result of clean
• enjoy your home
• enjoy your possessions
• give things away
• be grateful you have so much
• be grateful for your comfortable temperature controlled atmosphere

Watchin’ TV:

• enjoy the tons of information at our fingertips
• enjoy learning channels
• concentrate on good news
• take action on something that bothers you by sending a letter or email, just one
• be grateful for electricity

Family:

• speak with kindness
• ignore the small stuff
• be respectful
• be forgiving
• be grateful for those who love you
• work to deserve it
• practice positive speaking

There’s so much more, but you’re getting the idea, right?  I’m sure you show some gratitude, but where could you show more?

Do you find yourself worrying about the economy?  Even on our worst day, we are not as much at a loss as those in China or other countries who struggle just for food and shelter.    Of course, there are many who do the same in our own country and neighborhoods.  What can you do to prepare and be wise with your funds? Can you help another?  You don’t have to do it all, but what would a grateful person do? 

Today, just find one thing that brings gratitude to your heart.   When that’s a habit, find another, and step by step, you become a person of gratitude.  The world begins to change. 

————

I’ll end with a brief story.  I had a 14 year old foster daughter for a couple of years named Kristi.  In a single day, she flew into anger more often than most people do in months.   Kristi would scream and rant and curse and throw things.  I found myself walking on eggshells and flinching at the sound of her voice.  One day, as she was putting on her show, I went into her bedroom.  She followed, screaming every step of the way. 

Quietly, making murmuring sounds as she spouted off, I laid out some of her nicest clothes on the bed.  I picked up her CD player, her jewelry box, her favorite trinkets.  She stopped cold saying “What are you doing?? You can’t touch my stuff!” 

I began to count them and write them down on a notepad.  Knowing she BETTER NOT touch me in anger, she plopped down on the bed and folder her arms in disapproval.  When she saw I was grouping things together, she lost some of her steam.  I didn’t comment for awhile.  The pile on the bed grew.  Finally she was calm and said “What are you doing?”

“Kristi, you have so many wonderful things, I’m wondering if you might like to give something away.” 

“What??  NO, No!” she yelled. 

I replied calmly, “Well, they don’t seem to be bringing you much happiness.  Everyday you’re mad about your life.  I thought maybe you’d like to get rid of the clutter and just make do with less.” 

She was silent.  I was serious.  She knew about loss.  In fact, she, like most foster kids, was a loss expert.  She wanted no more of it. 

“I’m happy. I’m happy!!” she said. 

I grinned.  “Good.  Because these can make a quick exit the next time you’re ranting about nothing.  Get over it, kid.  We’ve all got stories.  Life is getting better for you, now act like you enjoy it.” 

It wasn’t a cure-all for Kristi, but it did soften her yell.  She had a long journey of learning about gratitude ahead of her.  

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