The Attitude of Gratitude

Nov 4

“Learn to be thankful for what you already have, while you pursue all that you want.”

— Jim Rohn

Why is it that we can always point out the bad before we can point out the good? During my now husband and I’s engagement period, it was hard for me to see all the good that God brought into my life. Although it was an exciting time, getting to marry my long-time best friend, it seemed like everything else in my life was falling apart. The job I was interviewing for at my dream company fell through, business was slow, and on top of that the (financial) stress of planning a wedding was keeping me up at night.

Although there was so much good happening in that season, I couldn’t see the forest beyond the trees and that caused me to be seriously ungrateful. Out of all the good that was going in my life, I was so quick to point out everything that was wrong. Forget the fact that I and my fiancé made it through 5 years of long-distance and a 7-year relationship. Forget about that I was booked for my first keynote speaking engagement. Forget that my digital mentor for years discovered me through my business and invited me to interview for a spot on her team. My life didn’t look like the way that I thought it should so to me, all those good things didn’t count.

That’s how ungratefulness usually sneaks upon us. We get so focused on what we don’t have that we forget and discount what we do. Maybe you’re so focused on the promotion or role that you didn’t get that you didn’t realize how blessed you are to be in a position where you actually enjoy the work that you do. Or maybe you’re so focused on the relationship that you don’t have that you forgot the freedom that is found in not having the responsibilities, stresses, and obligations associated with being a wife.

The reality is that no, maybe you don’t have all that you want, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t focus and appreciate what you already do. This is the attitude of gratitude: realizing that what we have is more than enough. Having an attitude of gratitude is choosing to be thankful and rejoice in all aspects of your life, even when things aren't necessarily going your way. Are you struggling with cultivating a thankful heart? Here are some questions to ask yourself:

What has God given me to steward right now?
Why aren't I grateful? What emotions, feelings, or thoughts are causing me to be ungrateful? Where did they originate? How does God want to meet me here and address these thoughts and feelings?
What are some practical things that I can do to cultivate an attitude of gratitude?

Again, gratitude is about turning what God has given us into more than enough. We don’t have to wait once a year until we gather around the Thanksgiving table, preparing to dive into turkey, stuffing, and sweet potato pie to have a heart of thankfulness. We can be grateful for what we have right now. It’s about taking the time to tune into your heart, mind, and spirit, appreciating all your blessings, great or small.