I have written several articles over the past years on gratitude. Today, I want to talk about Living in Gratitude, especially during times like these, when the world seems upside down!
Last week, while discussing gratitude after a Sunday service, one of the group members asked me how I managed to survive the fire that destroyed our house and still be grateful. It did not take long for me to go back in time in my mind to remember the one thing that saved me during this terrible time.
It was one of the first days we were staying in a hotel provided by the local Red Cross when a stranger knocked on the door. When my husband answered (I wasn’t really talking to anyone at that point, especially a stranger), the stranger told him he had heard about our plight and wanted to help. Then the stranger handed him a $100 bill.
That was the first crack in my shell after the fire! Here we were with nothing, in a hotel someone was paying for, and a stranger gave us some money! Gratitude overwhelmed me. From that point on, I began seeing things to be grateful for.
You can read more on this in my article: What Tragedy has Taught Me
From that point on, I always looked for the blessings in any given situation. I learned a long time ago that nothing that happens in life is black or white. So challenging things can happen, but some great blessings are always present to be thankful for.
I have run into bumps along the way. Things don’t turn out the way we like, but I remembered to watch my thoughts and to always be grateful for the little things.
Over time, I realized the blessings I was receiving just by remaining curious and open to life around me. Affirmations became my daily routine. I found that once you set your mind to it, you can find good in just about any situation. And, if I cannot find anything good, I watch what I am thinking. I wonder if I am keeping myself from ‘creating’ a challenging situation when there really was not one!
I began living in gratitude, not just talking about gratitude!
It is hard sometimes with all the hate and wars going on in our world. I, too, get discouraged. But then I remember the $100 that was freely given to us during one of the worst chapters of my life.
There is always something to be thankful for once you decide to think and live in gratitude.