An Attitude of Gratitude
As Fall settles in around us and Thanksgiving nears we are reminded to be grateful. Each year at Thanksgiving dinner our family often went around the table saying one thing we were grateful for. My sister and I hated it. As I get older, I value the act of gratitude more and more.
We are often caught in a culture of complaining where the grass always seems greener on the other side. Until of course you get there and then you are sure the grass was greener where you once were. What is it about our society that we often find ourselves unsatisfied even if we have everything we thought we wanted? The economic status of our country has enhanced this method of thinking when in reality I think it should have made us even more grateful for what we have. Before the housing crisis, the high unemployment rates and the overall stall in spending, were you satisfied? Perhaps being grateful for what we already have would have prevented this mess all together. The fact of the matter is that even in a recession, the majority of Americans are still living a life of exuberance compared to the rest of the world. People are still standing in line for $5 coffee while surfing the web on their phones. God forbid we live without cable and let’s not even talk about switching to dial up instead of high speed internet.
Everything happens for a reason, they say and I think the reason is to jolt our culture from an attitude of dissatisfaction to an attitude of gratitude. The only way to get green grass is to have fertilizer and lots of water. When you don’t have the tools to get the green grass, create a new option. That’s why we have rocks in Arizona. You have to work with what you have and be grateful for it. A rock lawn may not be a nice spot for a picnic but you don’t have to water it, mow it or worry about it if you go out of town. Even the greenest grass has a few weeds so before you start longing for what you don’t have remember how nice your rock yard looks after a few weeks of 110 degree temperatures or how your water bill looks for that matter.
I’m not trying to make light of a dire situation. I know many people are struggling immensely, losing their homes and looking for work. However I do know that all of us have something to be grateful for. Perhaps a smaller home means less time cleaning and more time to spend with the kids, or the inability to go out to eat means finding out that you really enjoy cooking, or the tight budget makes you a savvy sale shopper and you realize discount stores have just as cute of clothes as department stores. Whatever the situation may be, there is always a silver lining if you are willing to look for it. If you don’t believe me go volunteer at a homeless shelter, take a trip to a border town in Mexico, or stop by a women’s shelter. Trust me when I say that it always could be worse. It’s time to stop longing for what could be or what once was and start being thankful for today, for now, for everything.
Tell me, what are you grateful for?
Photo via The House of Belonging
Alicia is the editor of The Charity Wedding, a blog dedicated to helping couples blend philanthropy into their wedding day. 12 Comments
Great post – I think people do forget easily how to have an attitude of gratitude.
I’m grateful for my amazing husband and the fact that we’re together in the country I’ve always to live. I’m grateful for my health and the good health of my family and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to create my destiny!
I love this post Alicia, it really came to me on a day when I needed it. It’s so easy to get caught up in what we think we want, and need, when it’s always right in front of us. I am so grateful for all my wonderful friends and family and the fact I get to do what I love for a living. Thanks for taking the time to write this!
The most important thing in life is to be grateful and you put it in words so simple to understand, you are truly a great inspiration. Thank you for being a part of my life
What a great post! And a timely reminder. I am grateful – and thankful – for my health, and the good health of my family; for my enchanting children; for clothes and food and shelter and a job that allows me to stay home. Thanks for causing me to stop, pause, and give thanks today.
This was a great post! I’ve always lived life knowing that there are people somewhere who have it a little less fortunate than I do, no matter how bad my situation may be. Every day that I wake up, I’m thankful for LIFE! It’s a chance to start each day anew, with new opportunities or the chance to make them. I have a wonderful children and I love what I do in the wedding industry. Ultimately, I know that the grass isn’t greener on the other side. It’s up to me and I’m grateful to know that I have the chance each day!
When I read this post remember what I texted you? It is so perfect and coming from you…the one person who gives selflessly of herself it has such meaning. If everyone knew how big your heart truly is they would love you as much as I do! Awesome post my buddy!
Aww, Alicia! What a pretty picture of you! I love this post, it was actually something I was thinking today. I had just started this internship and I am having to adjust my time management and feeling busy all the time. But as I woke up before the sun came up, I felt happy. To wake up early and not dread it? Priceless! I am so grateful that I am finally doing what I love, and feel like I am going in the right direction towards fulfilling God’s plan for me. I feel so blessed!
My favorite holiday is actually Thanksgiving for this exact reason. We always go around the table and say what we are thankful for and every year, I’m so thankful to have wonderful friends, good health and family. Thanks Alicia!
Great perspective! I know on my worst days I have to be grateful for what we have because like you said it could always be worse.Every night I lay my head down, I thank the man up above for another day, for the clothes on my back, the roof over my head and the food on our table and of course all the other wonderful things and people in my life- including even our sweet little Boston Terrier fur ball who makes one of the best companions. =)
I’m grateful for all my friends, my wonderful husband, my couples, and all the great stuff I see every morning when I walk to Starbucks. It’s a good life.
This is such a great post Alicia! There are so many things I’m grateful for I’m not even sure where to begin; my loving & supportive husband, my wonderful family, the opportunity to work for myself, absolutely loving what I do, my funny and adorable fur baby and…that we have a house we own. I could go on and on…there really are so many things to be grateful for and I am so very thankful to have what I do
I love this post Alicia! Everyone has something to be grateful for….even the smallest of things to us could “mean the world” to someone else. I am grateful for my loving, caring and supportive family (including the man I’m about to marry).