‎THE JOYS OF GRATITUDE

In a world where happiness is frequently measured by how much we have and how much more we can acquire, the virtue of gratitude is often overlooked; but as we all know, there’s no shorter cut to contentment, which is the foundation for true happiness.

We humans universally have a need at the end of ‎a year or any other cycle, to look back and assess just how well we did; if we were able to accomplish our set goals or not; just how good generally we consider that year or cycle to have been to us, when viewed alongside the objectives we set for ourselves at its beginning. As I said earlier, this is perfectly human. No surprises there at all.

Again, it is not surprising that some years will be better than others; so there’s not much point in moaning for too long if the year has not completely gone our way either, nor is there any point in holding it against ourselves. Life as we say all the time, is a journey, and the very thing which we may consider a hindrance or a stumbling block today, may later with hindsight, be seen to have actually been a blessing in disguise. Mistakes and failures represent vital life lessons ‎which if learned properly, help reposition us for success ahead.

So then, if we adopt the right frame of mind which helps us see the silver lining to every cloud, we do ourselves a world of good. Faith ensures that we do not short-circuit the very circumstances that are designed to bring about our lifting; and that we do not give up on a process that ultimately serves to birth the champion in us.

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”

– William Arthur Ward

Being grateful for our little and not so little ble‎ssings is an attitude which helps us better appreciate life, and not take for granted all that has been bestowed upon us by divine favour. A quick look at the basics, like the choice foods we freely enjoy – some of which end up in our bins – will bear witness to this.

Available data reveals that while we indulge in sundry delicacies – tossing our leftovers out when we’re sated – nearly a billion people in the world go to bed hungry every night, with women accounting for over 60% of that number. India, China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan and Ethiopia make up 65% of the world’s hungriest.

The water with which we so casually wash our cars or run our washing machines is another example. According to unwater.org, close to 800 million people worldwide are deprived of clean water, while almost 2.5 billion lack adequate sanitation. What this means is that there are more people with mobile phones in the world today, than there are who have access to a glass of clean water, and that bathtub full of water which we run for a leisurely soak could mean the difference between “life or death” for millions out there.

Nick Vujicic, a Serbian-Australian Motivational speaker and Christian evangelist, who was born without arms or legs, has triumphed over his disability and gone on to establish a very successful motivational speaking business and career. Nick has double Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Financial Planning, and is now married with two children. This is an incredible, living example of what an attitude of gratitude can accomplish for us. In spite of his very peculiar challenges, Nick has made a decision to live a full and productive life and today by God’s grace, he has accomplished much more than many who are able-bodied. ‎

“Often people ask how I manage to be happy despite having no arms and no legs. The quick answer is that I have a choice. I can be angry about not having limbs, or I can be thankful that I have a purpose. I chose gratitude.”

– Nick Vujicic

All too often, we choose to dwell on the ‘little’ which we do not yet have‎, and we neglect to acknowledge the ‘so much’ that we do. A grateful heart has the curious power to attract more for which to be grateful, a power of multiplication so to speak; the more thankful we are for what we have, the more we receive.

If you haven’t stopped for a minute recently to appreciate all that you have and to thank God for the goodness that has come your way; now is a good time to do so.

“Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.”

– John Milton , English Poet 1608-1674

Gratitude is a cornerstone of good manners and etiquette. There is perhaps no better way to secure someone’s continued favour than to honestly and sincerely demonstrate gratitude for any kindness they may have already shown you. Being appreciated feels good and we all love it when people point out something we have done that they liked. Now if only everyone would go ahead and extend the same grace to others! A simple, truthful compliment can make someone’s day. Quite often, our biggest and most precious blessings such as our close friends and family members, are precisely the ones we take the most for granted. Sometimes, when I read glowing tributes from bereaved families or friends to their dear departed ones, I find myself hoping that they found opportunities to share how they felt with them while they were still alive.

This New Year, as we make fresh plans and resolutions, we can choose to add gratitude to our list. Gratitude expressed through gifts and cards to others, a kind word or note, a thank you letter, a telephone call, a visit to the sick and so on, but most of all through choosing to be joyful and eschewing complaining, in a simple act of gratitude to our Maker.

“Joy is the simplest form of gratitude”

– Karl Barth, Swiss Reformed Theologian (1886 – 1968)

Let us also remember to teach those who need to learn it.

“Feeling gratitude isn’t born in us – it’s something we are taught, and in turn, we teach our children.”

– Joyce Brothers , Licensed American Psychologist (1927-2013)

So what are you most grateful for? Don’t forget, someone somewhere would probably give a limb to be where you are today.