Some of my friends spend November practicing 30 Days of Gratitude. They post on various social media each day, describing how they are grateful for the good things which fill their lives.
I appreciate their gratitude. There are days when something they share inspires me to see my own experience in new ways.
Gratefulness can be a challenge for me. My first inclination is to find a problem to solve or avoid, not blessings for which to be grateful. I appreciate a good worst case scenario. I spend more time wanting to fix things that are broken than being thankful for things that are good.
Part of the tendency toward looking for potential difficulties is that dealing with them makes us feel useful. We enjoy the sense that we are making a difference, making things better. When we are solving a problem we are powerful. We like to believe we can overcome the challenges we face. Finding and solving problems reinforces our sense that we are capable.
Being grateful does not reinforce our seeing ourselves as powerful in the face of obstacles. The things for which I am most grateful are not things I have earned. The people who spark my gratitude are those who treat me well even when I do not think I deserve it.
Gratitude is not important because our lives are filled with blissful joy and we are surrounded by friends.
I am working on gratefulness because life is full of things for which it is not easy to be thankful.
Gratefulness is a celebration of life, even the parts that do not appear particularly enjoyable.
We demonstrate our gratitude by sharing with the people around us.
When will you take time today to be grateful?
How thankful are you for the struggles in your life?
[Image by eschipul]
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