Developing an attitude of gratitude
Ever wonder why some people can be happy when it would seem that their world is falling apart? Then there are others who seem to have everything going for them and are miserable to be around. Studies have shown that an attitude of gratitude is a common thread amongst the people who are happy. Choosing happiness in spite of our circumstances is also key, but an attitude of gratitude is something that not only benefits you, it also benefits those you come in contact with.
So, what does it mean to have an attitude of gratitude? I would say that being thankful for what you do have and focusing on those things sums it up pretty well. When was the last time you said “I am grateful that I can see”? Or “I’m grateful to have a teenager who is testing me when there are couples who are not able to have children”. I know that when I start getting caught up with all that is going on in my life and all the struggles I face, if I don’t do something to get outside of myself, I don’t have a very good day! Doing something to help somebody else or focusing on the good in my life is the only way I can get outside of me. So please…take a moment and name ten things that you are grateful for and see if that doesn’t immediately improve your day!
Thanks Kelly! Gratitude seems to surpass all cultures and countries as a key to maintaining perspective and injecting joy into difficult circumstances. Keep going!
Doug ‘n Judy
http://www.intothewilderness.com
http://www.faithfamilyandfinancialfreedom.com
Brilliant, Kelly. Love this post, and so very true. Keep up the good work. I’m putting a link for it in my next blog – everyone should read this!
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
[...] attitude of gratitude can help people to feel much happier in their lives. You can read her post here. Nicolas Baron also recently wrote a great post covering a multitude of attitudes, including [...]
Kelly,
What a wonderful post! My grandfather would spend a few minutes each morning to ponder about the things that were good in his life and started each day … happy
He lived to be 95 and worked as an accountant until 2 days prior to dying peacefully in his sleep. Now that’s something to be grateful for …
Thank you for the reminder!
Svenja
Hi Kelly
I like your attitude to everything, including life learning and the future. I agree with you that gratitude is the key, isn’t it funny that we often have to work at being grateful, it seems like our default mode; is to take life for granted. However, that being said “being grateful for testing teenagers”, now I think that you go too far.
Only joking!
Best, Theresa