When thinking of gratitudes, what comes to your mind? More often than not, we think of thanking another or our Higher Power for various presents, kindnesses, relief, favors, etc. Usually when in the midst of gratitude, our expressions are for something that made us smile or made our life easier. This is an excellent practice, however, gratitude is more.
It is almost ludicrous to give thanks for the not so great things that happen in our life. Our vehicles can break down, we can be short of funds and we can lose our jobs. So many of life's little "treasures" can come our way and not once do we think to be grateful for them. Yes, I said treasures.
In every part of our life, we can learn to be grateful for all we have. Perhaps our car doesn't look like as new as others, but we can be grateful we have a car. If our car breaks down and we are short of funds, we can be grateful for public transportation, or a family member, friend or co-worker who steps in to lend a helping hand. If we have lost our job, we can be grateful we have skills, a work history and many resources that are available to help. Granted, some of these resources are short term, but being grateful they are there at all is sometimes hard to fathom.
Being grateful for what we call the "mundane parts of life" rarely comes to mind. How many times do we complain about the mounting hills of laundry, yet the thought of being grateful we have clothes, that we have a shelter for the clothes to mount, the place to house the clean clothes, the machines to do the laundry and the ability to be physically able to do the laundry escapes us. We don't think about how much worse life could be and how much it is worse for others.
Gratitude frees us from the chains of taking things for granted. Gratitude can bring us contentment and peace. Practicing gratitude in our daily lives can have a positive and profound affect which is reflected in everything we do, say and experience.
At first glance, a glass can be half full or half empty. Looking with a glance in gratitude, we can be thankful for the glass, the fluid in the glass as well as the ability to see and feel the glass. We can even be grateful for having the means to wash the glass. How many more gratitudes can be associated with this glass? Look with a glance of gratitude. You may surprise yourself. |
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