Becoming Grateful Day 25: Share 5 Things You're Thankful For

SHARE 5 THINGS YOU'RE GRATEFUL FOR

I made a pretty mean lasagna tonight, and some awesome rolls to go with it from a recipe I found on Pinterest. In fact, it was so good that I went back for seconds. My husband on the other hand ate a healthy portion and called it quits. I asked him if he wanted more, (it means I did a really good job of dinner when he goes back for more), but he said he was full. It wasn't soon after that I realized I had eaten too much. Much too much in fact, and I felt sick. I regretted that second helping and the extra roll and wished I had stopped with the first plate because it really was enough. 

I think in life we're like that. We are given something wonderful, and all we want is more rather than recognizing that what we have is already enough. We get a bad case of the "gimmes" and don't pause to feel "full." If we don't work on being grateful on a daily basis, we end up feeling like we're lacking in some way. We often wind up trying to fill our plate with more "stuff" that we don't need and focus on the getting instead of the thanking. We live in a time now where entitlement pervades our society. Not only is everyone looking for more, but they think they deserve it just because. It's easy to get caught up in this way of thinking. Before you start wanting more, wait a minute. Think about what you have already been given and let that emotional satiety kick it. It's interesting to me that one definition of satiety is the condition of being gratified beyond the point of satisfaction. Fill your soul with gratitude, which will translate into happiness and joy. 

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To help recognize all the things we have that already "fill" us up, try to say 5 things you are thankful for to each person you talk with today. Try not to just say "Thanks for all you do!" While that's nice, be heartfelt and specific. If you're going to be with someone a lot today you can weave your thanks into your conversations, rather than all at once. But other people, like someone you run into at the grocery store, will end up getting bombarded with your grateful praises. It might get uncomfortable. In fact, it will probably get weird and awkward if you're not used to expressing your gratitude. Especially when you don't stop after the 2nd thing you're thanking them for. That's OK! They will probably end up thanking you for thanking them! And soon you'll see all the many blessings you have, people and things, that can "fill" you up. You'll end up not only recognizing that you have enough, but that you have more than enough. 

Here's something to ponder next time you get hit with the "gimmes"...

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead

and a place to sleep ... you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish

someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more

blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of

imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation... you are

ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a religious meeting without fear of harassment, arrest,

torture, or death ... you are more blessed than three billion people in the

world.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful ...

you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the

shoulder ... you are blessed because you can offer healing touch.

If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion

people in the world that cannot read at all.

Count your blessings!

~ Author unknown ~