Gratitude
As a child growing up in England I was constantly reminded to "mind my manners".
In those far off days children were expected to be seen and not heard. Speak only when spoken to and never, ever to interrupt when adults were talking.
I was not allowed to voice either my anger or my dissatisfaction on just about every subject you can think of. However one of the things that I remember most, and was constantly frustrated about, was the reminders every day to show gratitude. Even, in my childhood memories, the most insignificent little thing brought on the old adage to "be grateful". It used to drive me absolutely nuts!
For many years as I grew up I gave very little thought to gratitude...I suppose I had had my fair share of the subject. It was not that I wasn't grateful for many things in my life but it was as if I could no longer go with the constant reminder to show it.
Then, not so long ago I had an "aha"moment.
My life has not always been easy, but many people have this same dilemma to deal with. I was quite capable of feeling a bit sorry for myself and indulging in some pretty depressing, dark thoughts of the past...who had said this, or done that and what I could do now if I could only front them again. In actual fact I was having a great time at my own pity party.
Of course it did not make me happy and I was constantly dwelling or the things I did not have and feeling generally hard done by.
To this day I do not know what happened to change everything so dramatically for me but out of the blue I suddenly knew that I was so blessed and so lucky. I started to see the beauty around me, the wonderful people who were in my life...the "gifts"that I had been blessed with and numerous other things. I experienced GRATITUDE for everything in my life.
From that moment on I have never looked back. I am living on an age pension but I knew that whatever bills, or so called hardships, came my way I would be taken care of. It has proved to be right...I no longer worry about the'' lack'" of money as I KNOW that something will turn up. And that is the key to everything. You have to know that everything will be for your very best. Whatever happens, happens for a reason...every time...no exceptions.
It is no good BELIEVING that things will work out...you have to KNOW...and that knowing comes from GRATITUDE...it is that easy.
This is such a simple concept but amazingly difficult to come about if you try to force it.
Someone asked me if he should pretend to be grateful and pretend to know. Well you can try that but it is much easier to find the real things that you are grateful for and to forget about the things you haven't got and solely concentrate on the joys, however small, in your life right now. There is always something that you can find gratitude for...things like: you have a bed to sleep in, a roof over your head, a much loved pet, partner, child or friend. It all comes down to a matter of perspective.
Today I am so "grateful" for the wisdom of my parents and grandparents who already knew what a powerful concept gratitude was. I wonder why it took so long for me to "get it".
In those far off days children were expected to be seen and not heard. Speak only when spoken to and never, ever to interrupt when adults were talking.
I was not allowed to voice either my anger or my dissatisfaction on just about every subject you can think of. However one of the things that I remember most, and was constantly frustrated about, was the reminders every day to show gratitude. Even, in my childhood memories, the most insignificent little thing brought on the old adage to "be grateful". It used to drive me absolutely nuts!
For many years as I grew up I gave very little thought to gratitude...I suppose I had had my fair share of the subject. It was not that I wasn't grateful for many things in my life but it was as if I could no longer go with the constant reminder to show it.
Then, not so long ago I had an "aha"moment.
My life has not always been easy, but many people have this same dilemma to deal with. I was quite capable of feeling a bit sorry for myself and indulging in some pretty depressing, dark thoughts of the past...who had said this, or done that and what I could do now if I could only front them again. In actual fact I was having a great time at my own pity party.
Of course it did not make me happy and I was constantly dwelling or the things I did not have and feeling generally hard done by.
To this day I do not know what happened to change everything so dramatically for me but out of the blue I suddenly knew that I was so blessed and so lucky. I started to see the beauty around me, the wonderful people who were in my life...the "gifts"that I had been blessed with and numerous other things. I experienced GRATITUDE for everything in my life.
From that moment on I have never looked back. I am living on an age pension but I knew that whatever bills, or so called hardships, came my way I would be taken care of. It has proved to be right...I no longer worry about the'' lack'" of money as I KNOW that something will turn up. And that is the key to everything. You have to know that everything will be for your very best. Whatever happens, happens for a reason...every time...no exceptions.
It is no good BELIEVING that things will work out...you have to KNOW...and that knowing comes from GRATITUDE...it is that easy.
This is such a simple concept but amazingly difficult to come about if you try to force it.
Someone asked me if he should pretend to be grateful and pretend to know. Well you can try that but it is much easier to find the real things that you are grateful for and to forget about the things you haven't got and solely concentrate on the joys, however small, in your life right now. There is always something that you can find gratitude for...things like: you have a bed to sleep in, a roof over your head, a much loved pet, partner, child or friend. It all comes down to a matter of perspective.
Today I am so "grateful" for the wisdom of my parents and grandparents who already knew what a powerful concept gratitude was. I wonder why it took so long for me to "get it".
Quote of the Day
Gratitude