I’ve been thinking a lot about gratitude lately. Specifically about how I can incorporate more gratitude into my life.
I like to spend time reading spiritual books and listening to faith-filled podcasts. And I’ve noticed that so many of these messages contain the underlying theme of gratitude. And, it got me thinking. Do I have an attitude of gratitude? Unfortunately, sometimes the answer is no. So, it got me thinking can I really have such an attitude, and if so, how do I do it?
Are You a Glass Half Empty or Half Full Type of Person?
I don’t know whether it’s genetics or maybe how I was raised, but I was never a ‘half full’ glass type of person. For some reason, my personality tends to jump to the negative. It’s something I wish I could change and something I pray about all the time.
It seems like there have been times when my day begins on a negative note. As a result, I wake up and my mind is flooded with thoughts, ranging from what I want to accomplish for the day or for the week, to thoughts of what’s not ‘right’ in my life. I’ve found that thoughts like these physically and mentally weigh me down.
I know that these thoughts of worry, fear, or regret, are not God’s thoughts. Therefore, I know that this isn’t the way God wants me to begin or end my day.
My Dad as Example of Gratitude in my Own Life
In my family, my dad was a true example of someone with a grateful heart.
For over 20 years, my dad suffered from Parkinson’s Disease. There were many days where his body hurt all over, where it was rigid to the point that he couldn’t move. And, there were many days where his breathing was labored and difficult.
What always amazed me was, despite his physical symptoms and limitations, he seemed at peace. I can’t ever recall him complaining about his illness. I never saw him lash out at anyone when his body wouldn’t let him do something he wanted it to do. Most importantly, he didn’t allow himself to wallow in self-pity or despair.
In fact, he was just the opposite. He was grateful.
Since his passing two years ago, my family has found many journals and letters he wrote expressing gratitude for the life he lived even though, at times, it was a life of great suffering. There’s no doubt that this suffering took its toll on him physically, but it didn’t touch him spiritually. Somehow, through it all, he was still able to find inner peace and joy.
Just recently, my mom found another one of his journals tucked away in a drawer. This time, he was journaling about his life right around the time that he was about to undergo brain surgery to treat a symptom of his Parkinson’s.
My mom shared with me an excerpt from his journal, and what struck me most of all, is that it wasn’t filled with sorrow, fear, regret, or loss. Instead, his journal described feelings of joy, peace, and contentment.
He was journaling about being at his grandson’s birthday party. He wrote about how he loved seeing the look on his grandson’s face as he was about to devour the chocolate cake for his birthday. And, he recalled watching how his little four-month-old granddaughter was changing and growing right before his very eyes. His journal entry ended with one final note saying – “It was a great day.”
And, there it is – GRATITUDE.
Amidst all his suffering and physical pain, he had an attitude of gratitude. He was thankful. And I believe, that thankfulness made room for joy.
Can Gratitude Be Learned?
So, I have to wonder, if he can cultivate a grateful heart, despite dealing with a chronic health condition for over 20 years, why can’t I?
I wonder – is it really possible to develop an attitude of gratitude if you’re brain, like mine, doesn’t appear to be ‘wired’ that way?
Slowly but surely, God is teaching me that it IS possible.
But it takes discipline. It takes prayer. And, it takes surrounding yourself with other people who model gratefulness too.
My Gratitude Challenge – Will You Join Me?
So, how do I cultivate an attitude of gratitude?
First and foremost, I know that I can’t do it alone. It takes prayer and calling on the Holy Spirit to help me.
And, I need to set my mind on God’s thoughts as St. Paul said in Philippians 4 verse 8 (NIV):
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
And, I need to surround myself with people who are joyful and grateful so they can continue to be models of gratefulness in my life today just like my dad was for me.
So, this week, I’m praying and asking God to help me cultivate an attitude of gratitude. And, I’m thanking God that he put my dad in my life all those years to model it so beautifully for me.
So my goal for myself this week is to keep a gratitude journal.
You can use a gratitude journal, a notebook, a piece of paper, or a note in your phone. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy.
I’m committing to simply writing down three things I’m grateful for when I wake up in the morning and three things before I go to bed at night.
Seems like just a small start, I know, but it’s something. And, I believe and trust that it will make a difference in my life. I hope it will make a difference in yours too.
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. – Colossians 4:2 (NIV)
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