For this post I decided to take a topic idea from the comments that have been posted on this blog. Thank you, Kari, for the idea of discussing finding gratitude.
When I first started researching the idea I wasn’t sure what I would find. Being thankful and having gratitude is one thing but finding it in our lives seems to be much more complicated.
In general what I learned from various articles is that to find gratitude you must fist practice giving it. People who regularly practice giving gratitude seem to find much more fulfillment in their lives.
The foundation of many of the worlds religions revolve around gratitude. The scriptures teach it by telling us to be thankful for what we’ve been given. (http://www.religionlink.org/)
One article I read entitled “Gratitude Leads to Happiness” states:
“A grateful people will feel an obligation toward others—toward God (for believers) the source of all we have, and toward those les fortunate than we—toward those with less, especially those in need. If gratitude dominated the minds and shaped the values of the majority of the population, what a wonderful world it would be! Gratitude can be the foundation for the exercise of morality
That’s why I think it’s great for non-believers to celebrate Thanksgiving. Let anyone start expressing and experiencing gratitude—if not verbally toward God, at least horizontally toward others in the human community—and you find a person holding a new lease on happiness.” (Byron)
Another article, “The heart of our faith,” discusses the ethics of gratitude and that what we give out will be returned to us. There’s an idea of a certain obligation in gratitude that makes us responsible for the gratitude that returns to our lives. (Guengerich)
An article by Robin Skeen talks about how gratitude can help us find purpose I our lives. Just by having a more “grateful state of mind” can create incredible changes in our lives. (Skeen)
Through all the articles it seemed to me that the main theme was that we can only find gratitude by giving gratitude. If you focus your gratitude to the right places then it will be amazing the impact it will have on your life.
A suggested exercise for finding gratitude is to start a gratitude journal. At the end of the day reflect on where you saw gratitude in your life that day. It will help give you a different perspective on what you are receiving in your life and give you the responsibility to give more.
Quotes:
“No duty is more urgent that that of returning thanks.” ~Unknown~
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of live. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ~Melody Beattie~
“Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting.” ~Unknown~
“You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.” ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach~ Simple Abundance
“True thanksgiving means that we need to thank God for what He has done for us, and not to tell Him what we have done for Him.” ~George R. Hendrick~
My Prayer: Dear Lord, I praise you. Thank you for all the wonderful things you have been doing in my life. Bless those who read this post. Inspire them to go and show their appreciation and reflect on what gratitude they are seeing in their own lives. Amen.
“Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.” Eph 5:4 NLT
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Col 3:16 NIV
“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;” 1 Ti 4:4 NASB
“Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;” Hbr 12:28 NASB
References:
Beliefs & Practice: The Science of Gratitude. (2007, Nov 15). http://www.religionlink.org/tip_071104.php
Byron, William J. (2006, Nov. 22). “Gratitude Leads to Happiness.” http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/william_j_byron/2006/11/much_obliged.html
Guengerich, Galen. (2007, Feb. 15) The Heart of our Faith. http://uuworld.org/assets/php/printer.php
Skeen, Robin. (2007, Nov 12). “Gratitude: Finding Purpose Through Gratitude” http://www.selfgrowth.com/artman2/publish/gratitude_articles/Finding_Purpose_Through_Gratitude_printer.html
When I first started researching the idea I wasn’t sure what I would find. Being thankful and having gratitude is one thing but finding it in our lives seems to be much more complicated.
In general what I learned from various articles is that to find gratitude you must fist practice giving it. People who regularly practice giving gratitude seem to find much more fulfillment in their lives.
The foundation of many of the worlds religions revolve around gratitude. The scriptures teach it by telling us to be thankful for what we’ve been given. (http://www.religionlink.org/)
One article I read entitled “Gratitude Leads to Happiness” states:
“A grateful people will feel an obligation toward others—toward God (for believers) the source of all we have, and toward those les fortunate than we—toward those with less, especially those in need. If gratitude dominated the minds and shaped the values of the majority of the population, what a wonderful world it would be! Gratitude can be the foundation for the exercise of morality
That’s why I think it’s great for non-believers to celebrate Thanksgiving. Let anyone start expressing and experiencing gratitude—if not verbally toward God, at least horizontally toward others in the human community—and you find a person holding a new lease on happiness.” (Byron)
Another article, “The heart of our faith,” discusses the ethics of gratitude and that what we give out will be returned to us. There’s an idea of a certain obligation in gratitude that makes us responsible for the gratitude that returns to our lives. (Guengerich)
An article by Robin Skeen talks about how gratitude can help us find purpose I our lives. Just by having a more “grateful state of mind” can create incredible changes in our lives. (Skeen)
Through all the articles it seemed to me that the main theme was that we can only find gratitude by giving gratitude. If you focus your gratitude to the right places then it will be amazing the impact it will have on your life.
A suggested exercise for finding gratitude is to start a gratitude journal. At the end of the day reflect on where you saw gratitude in your life that day. It will help give you a different perspective on what you are receiving in your life and give you the responsibility to give more.
Quotes:
“No duty is more urgent that that of returning thanks.” ~Unknown~
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of live. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ~Melody Beattie~
“Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting.” ~Unknown~
“You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.” ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach~ Simple Abundance
“True thanksgiving means that we need to thank God for what He has done for us, and not to tell Him what we have done for Him.” ~George R. Hendrick~
My Prayer: Dear Lord, I praise you. Thank you for all the wonderful things you have been doing in my life. Bless those who read this post. Inspire them to go and show their appreciation and reflect on what gratitude they are seeing in their own lives. Amen.
“Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.” Eph 5:4 NLT
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Col 3:16 NIV
“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;” 1 Ti 4:4 NASB
“Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;” Hbr 12:28 NASB
References:
Beliefs & Practice: The Science of Gratitude. (2007, Nov 15). http://www.religionlink.org/tip_071104.php
Byron, William J. (2006, Nov. 22). “Gratitude Leads to Happiness.” http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/william_j_byron/2006/11/much_obliged.html
Guengerich, Galen. (2007, Feb. 15) The Heart of our Faith. http://uuworld.org/assets/php/printer.php
Skeen, Robin. (2007, Nov 12). “Gratitude: Finding Purpose Through Gratitude” http://www.selfgrowth.com/artman2/publish/gratitude_articles/Finding_Purpose_Through_Gratitude_printer.html
Comments
I try to count my blessings in all areas everyday. I guess it may sound corny or cliche, but it true for me. Every where you look there are those that are smarter, prettier, richer, healthier, etc. But if I look at my own life, I have so much to be thankful for everyday. I am blessed to be alive today. I am blessed to have food, clothes, a home, a loving family, my faith, etc.
There are those that are always seeking more...a bigger house, more money, etc. There is nothing wrong with that, but I hope those people don't lose sight of all the good they do have in life. I admire those that always strive for a better life. That is honorable. I also feel it is important to stop and enjoy the blessings in lifeas well.
I also always remember what my Grandma C told me. Well into her 90s, she told me that everyday she thanked God that she was alive and given another day to live. Amen to that...