Gratitude

What do you do when you are having a bad day? Maybe you’re having a bad week or even worse, a bad year. What I have to say to you may not immediately change your circumstances, but it can change your attitude, leading you to a better way of thinking and acting. Better thinking and acting will help you address your problems more positively, rather than giving in to the temptation of victimhood.

I’m about one month away from my eighty-first birthday. I’ve made many trips around the sun on this spinning ball we call Earth. I’ve had a good life, much better than I deserve. Like you, I’ve experienced good and bad, gain and loss, health and sickness, success and failure, and satisfaction and disappointment. 

From time to time, I’ve been known to remark to another “mature” adult, “By the time you learn how to live, it’s almost time to die.” Most times, the remark is acknowledged with a nod and a smile. I’ve discovered that it is essential to pay attention and reflect on life. If you do that, you can learn some important lessons.

I think I have learned a few things along the way that I could tell some younger folks, if they would listen. I think most of us would become more considerate and easier to be around if we took what I have to say to heart. Please allow me to share a few ideas about the importance of gratitude. 

Gratitude is a product of wisdom.

We are born as selfish, self-centered little creatures whose only concern is being fed and kept comfortable. Children are not wise enough to be truly grateful. They are not aware of the love and sacrifice others have put into their lives.

Children learn gratitude from good parents and from tough life experiences that teach them they are not the center of the universe. Thoughtful parents teach their children habits and ways to express gratitude for the things others do to help and take care of them.

Unfortunately, some folks missed class on the days the lessons on gratitude were taught.

It’s understandable how children might come across as ungrateful brats. But when adults do that, it’s quite perplexing and irritating. It reminds me of the selfish, inconsiderate birds and rodents I support on my property. I provide food and shelter for many winged creatures, and food for squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, and an occasional groundhog.

All of these creatures can be annoying and destructive to flower beds and other parts of the property. I like having birds around, but they can be particularly sloppy and disrespectful. We have a beautiful backyard with lots of trees where they can nest, and three birdhouses, without rent. We have a creek and a birdbath where they can drink and bathe. We also have three feeders that we keep supplied with feed. We have even bought expensive safflower seeds to discourage squirrels from eating their food. I have invented a contraption to stop squirrels from climbing the feeder pole.

 Several years ago, I built a swing near the creek, where I would often rest after working in the yard or relax and appreciate the beauty around me. One day, I was sitting in my swing, enjoying the gurgling of the creek beside me, when it happened. After all I’ve done for these creatures, why would one of them even consider making me the target of their poop?

SPLAT! Right on the leg of my nice blue pants. How ungrateful! What did he do after messing up my pants? Did he come down and say, “I’m so sorry I did that. Forgive me. I’ll be more careful next time. And, by the way, thank you for taking such good care of me and my young family?”  Well, birds don’t do that kind of thing because they are not mentally and spiritually equipped to do that. God didn’t make them in His image.

However, we ARE made in God’s image. Does our attitude of entitlement and presumption have a parallel to being pooped on by a bird?  When we act ungratefully or disobey God, we are doing worse than pooping on Him. We are trashing the love and sacrifice of our Savior.

Wisdom teaches us to express gratitude every day. Every day goes better when I begin it with gratitude. “Thank you, Lord, for giving me a new day” is my prayer most mornings or sometimes during the day. Each day is a gift; it’s not earned or guaranteed. My life is in God’s hands, and that attitude helps me keep perspective on how very blessed I am. Reading Psalm 103 helps me remember this truth. How does that psalm begin?

“Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of his benefits.”

Did you notice what the psalmist is doing? He is giving himself instructions to give thanks to the Lord. After telling himself to be grateful, he goes on to list many ways in which the Lord has blessed him and those who follow him. I often need to follow this pattern at the beginning of the day and when I feel discouraged or confused, and remind myself to give thanks and make a list of ways the Lord has been faithful throughout my life.

My faith is refreshed when I remember the many challenges I faced in my younger days and how the Lord has always provided everything I needed. Whatever challenges you may be facing today or in the near future, commit them to the Lord and give thanks for specific ways he has provided for you to this day. He is faithful and will do it again.

How can you cultivate gratitude?

Gratitude starts with noticing the goodness in life. Our materialistic culture encourages constant wanting and promotes possessions as the source of happiness. Practicing gratitude for simple things can go a long way to curb selfishness, envy, cynicism, and narcissism.

How do you practice gratitude?

Psychology Today suggests that doing the simple act of writing a gratitude letter will help you and the person to whom you send it. Why not write a letter, send an email, or text to express appreciation for a kind deed someone has done for you? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/between-you-and-me/201809/you-should-express-gratitude-today-here-are-5-reasons-why

Tips to Foster Gratitude

• Keep a journal acknowledging the big and little joys of daily life.
• Write down “three good things”—identify three things that have gone well for you and identify the cause.
• Write thank-you notes to others.
• Think about people who have inspired you and what about them was most significant.
• Engage in “mental subtraction.” Imagine what your life would be like if some positive event had not occurred.

My book, HEAVEN’S CURRENCY, offers many ideas on how to live a grateful life. https://www.cosdavis.com/product/heavens-currency-investing-in-the-things-that-matter-most