Do you need a gratitude adjustment?

Gratitude: Recently, during some quiet time, as I was having a bit of a pitty party, a thought popped into my mind; “What you need is a gratitude adjustment.”  Of course the thought initially made me laugh but very quickly my laughter turned to tears and repentance.  How in the world could I ever feel sorry for myself?  I have so much to be thankful for and so I began to make of list of the many things for which I am so very grateful.

Gratitude is an attitude that needs to be nurtured every day.  I work with a lot of well intentioned people who want to do good in the world, but often the ugly face of entitlement appears which sets them on the path of indignation, anger and discontent.  Entitlement can show up anywhere, with anyone.  I am certainly no exception.  When I spend my money somewhere, I expect to receive good service and unquestionably, we should have healthy expectations for others.  

What we need to remember however, in the upside down economy of abundance is that I am simply a vessel or conduit by which things (hopefully good things) flow through.  I deserve nothing and I am thankful for all things (even the bad things) because they are what shape me, teach me and help me be the person I was designed to be.  

The measurement for determining gratitude and the hard work of living gratefully comes from self-awareness or better yet, selfish-awareness.  Whether you believe it or not, the universe does not revolve around us as individuals.  We are part of a much larger plan and once we embrace this revelation, we will start functioning as a part of this amazing plan.  

Some ways that we can become more grateful are:

• Come alongside someone who has been left in the margins of society.
• Expand your world view by traveling someplace that exposes you to thoughts, beliefs, sites, sounds, smells and a culture very different from your own.
• Keep a gratitude journal.
• Remind yourself of the people and things for which you are grateful each morning when you wake up and before you go to sleep.  
• Extract the good from the bad; when bad things happen, consider the positive aspects that can come out of them.  
• Become an encourager and thank people for the value that they have brought you.  
• Take time each day to meditate, giving thanks to your Creator for all the good things you have.
  
  

Here is a video that I found about gratitude.  It has a bit of a New Age feel which might be of concern for some, but try to receive the message as it pertains to you and your place in life.  I think that the Declaration of Gratitude is a good way of starting every day.