Webster says that to be grateful is to have a sense of benefits received. It means to be thankful. It is derived from an old English word that means thought. Lately, I have been giving a lot of thought to this topic and I have pondered the following things about gratitude:
• It is hard to remain angry while being grateful ~ truly grateful.
• It is hard to be selfish while being grateful ~ truly grateful.
• It is hard to keep score on the times you’ve been wronged while being grateful ~ truly grateful.
• And it is hard to be a victim when you have the power and protection of a grateful spirit.
Gratitude doesn’t suggest oblivion to the clear issues in our world. It does suggest, however, an ability to maintain a degree of objectivity and a productive outlook on life.
As our country, and world for that matter, experiences startling violence, racial contention and political bantering, it has become so easy to be overtaken with anxiety and dismay. As times become more difficult, I try to to train myself to avoid spending so much time stressing over what’s wrong in the world, and instead, I spend a considerable amount of time thinking about the many people I love, the things I enjoy and the many blessings for which I am grateful — truly grateful:
• Watching my daughter being born…
• My wife and daughter…
• Spiritual, physical and emotional health…
• Laughter…
• Cherished friendships and relationships…
• Practical jokes I’ve played on unsuspecting friends and relatives…
• Road trips with my aging mother…
• Wonderful memories of deceased loved ones……
• The opportunities I’ve had to travel…
• My education (formal and informal)…
• An opportunity to help my community find ways to heal from its racial division…
• My health and life…
I’d like to invite you to please take time this holiday season to think about the many benefits you have received in life. Take a little time out of your busy schedule to reflect upon the truly amazing people and blessings around you. Take a break from worrying, and enjoy the gift of gratitude. Gratitude has the power to turn each and every moment into something special. Perhaps the “tumultuous” moments in our world will spark a “calmness” of gratitude that will lead to increased peace within our anxious hearts.
Please, stop to count your many blessings this holiday season … you just might be surprised by how blessed you really are. I have found gratitude to be its own reward.
Happy Thanksgiving!
