Thoughts on Gratitude

It is the week of Thanksgiving and I would be remiss not to write about one of my favorite subjects and that is gratitude. In the past I’ve written about the overall positive impact gratitude has proven to have on each one of us. Grateful people are just happier and more successful. This year, I wish to focus on two different thoughts about gratitude.

“Not what we say about our blessing, but how we use them is the true measure of our thanksgiving.” W.T. Purkiser

First, a lot of times we say and claim to be thankful and appreciative but often our actions demonstrate otherwise. If I’m truly thankful for my job, I will work hard at it and not spend my time complaining or just doing the minimum to get by. If I’m truly thankful for my family I will strive to spend time with them and always treat them with respect and love. If I’m truly grateful for my life, I will use my time wisely and not indulge in things that waste and destroy it. Too many times, it is too easy for us to simply profess we are thankful. Gratitude however is a lot more than simply saying it—it is showing it. And though saying it is important the true magic of gratitude is realized through our actions.

"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has." Epictetus

Second, gratitude is just as much about perspective as it is about anything else. Each of us can choose to have reasons to be grateful for or not. We can choose to think “this rain is ruining my vacation” or to think “I’m thankful it’s raining because it makes the earth so green and beautiful.” We can choose to say “life is unfair and unpleasant” or we can say “though life is difficult, I’m thankful for the good times it does afford.” In the end, being grateful is really about our prospective and attitude. In fact, it is truly amazing how two people with nearly the same blessings can have such different levels of happiness in life. While one never seems satisfied and happy the other is at peace and grateful for all that he has. In most instances, the disparity is caused by perspective. Those who find blessings and reasons to be thankful are happy and those who don’t, aren’t. Thus, if we are not feeling thankful or happy at any time, we really need to examine ourselves and change our perspective on life. As we do so, we will find greater satisfaction and success in life.

So, during this thanksgiving week let us give thanks through our actions and then change our perspective whenever we feel ungrateful. If we do these two things, I promise we will all have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday! Enjoy!