Spreading Joy

Making a Difference One Person At a Time One Day At a Time

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Where is the Gratitude

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Where is the gratitude

We are an ungrateful people.  We are. (and by we, I mean me….just being honest with you) We gripe and complain more than we should.  Or at least I do. I’ve been dealing with a horrible bout of depression and it sucks the happiness, thankfulness and energy right out of my soul. It’s a horrible thing to say the least and then you layer on the negativity, thanklessness and such – it turns into a vicious cycle.  There isn’t any obvious reason for the depression, it just is what it is and let me assure you, it’s anything but pretty.

We are raising a generation of entitlement filled spoiled brats that have zero respect for anything and it’s a shame.  Many feel that they should have the best of everything given to them without having to be responsible for their actions or work for what they want.

Those of us that have what we want, need and desire are super ungrateful much of the time.  (Just being honest here because no matter what we have, we want more.)

Where is the thankfulness?  Where is the gratitude?  Where is the kindness?

It doesn’t cost us a single penny to be kind, thankful or grateful! Not one!

Instead of always looking at what we don’t have, can’t get or desire, why not take time to focus on all that we do have?  Many people in this world would love to have half the things that even the poorest American has and yet we gripe and complain on the daily because we want more.

  • We have a loving mom (or dad or both and step parents) that love us and yet we complain how they don’t provide us with more “stuff.” There are so many who don’t have this luxury and would give up all material things to be loved. It amazes me the number of children that are being tossed away (literally) abandoned, ignored and yes, even murdered by those that are supposed to love and take care of them.
  • We have a roof over our heads but it’s not nice enough, big enough, in the best place etc. There are so many homeless people, and I’m talking people that work but simply cannot make ends meet, so they live in their cars, a shelter or on the street.  They would love to live in a tiny home that isn’t great or in the nicest neighborhood at all.
  • We have a vehicle to drive and sure it’s older, doesn’t sound great or look great but we aren’t walking every single place we need to go.
  • We have food in our pantry and sure we may have sandwiches more than gourmet meals but we get to have them. It’s staggering how many people and children go to bed hungry because there isn’t enough food
  • We have our health and yes we struggle with diseases, chronic illnesses or even mystery illnesses that no one even remotely knows that it is or how to treat it (been there, done that, you can have the t-shirt) but we have a chance each day to make the best of it and encourage each other through it. I know this is awful and often worse than horrible for many people who are fighting cancer, depression, and other disorders but can we take a little time each day to be grateful for some goodness that surrounds us? Something?
  • We have our jobs and so many of us would love to not have to work at all but that is never going to be the case for us, so we need to find the good in it or fine one where we can find the good.
  • We have so many little things that make our life big but we let the sadness and discouragement of the day steal the joy of those things from our hearts. I could literally list 100 things right here but will include a link to my Ginormous List of little things that make our life big.

Have you considered taking time to list out 3 or more things each day that you are thankful for, or things that bring you joy and happiness or something that made you smile today?

Have you thought of having a gratitude journal where you take just a few moments daily to write out a positive affirmation for yourself, your day and on the days that are extremely difficult you’ll have something tangible that you can hold and read to remind your heart that it’s going to be ok.

I know life is hard.  I understand having issues you face on a daily basis.  I understand medical issues that toss your whole world upside down and I understand the struggle with depression, discouragement and having times where no matter what you do you just feel awful.

B U T – I also know that every single day there is something to be grateful for, even if it’s just the love that someone shows me.

 

How are you teaching your children to be grateful? Do you give them everything they want or do they have to earn things, show respect and be responsible?

Do you have a gratitude journal?  Need a little help getting started? Here are some writing prompts you can use to get your mind going in the right direction.

Now, you should be expecting this last question – what 3 things are you thankful for today? Big things, little things, simple things….. anything.

Where is your gratitude? Is it covered up by the daily ick that we all battle? Do you try to dig it out?

 

© 2016, Spreading Joy. All rights reserved.

Comments

  1. 1

    Excellent points! In fact, I just wrote a new blog post entitled “Attitude of Gratitude”. It is my daily goal to focus on the blessings that already surround me. I wasted too many years doing the opposite!

    Reply
  4. 7

    Today I’m grateful for a silly child (even if I drove all the way to town just to head back home after she threw up), a God who is infinitely wise and who guides my path, and for the hardwork that goes into my Christmas decorations so that my checking account is preserved.

    Reply
  6. 11

    Great points here. I was reading in 1st John this week, and one verse reminded me of how God has overcome everything; what a reason to be grateful and full of joy! But so often we mope around unhappily for nothing!

    Reply
    • 12

      it’s true Kay. Circumstances that are beyond our control can drag us down and just hold us there for what seems like forever.

      We have to be intentional about gratitude, about spreading joy and about focusing on the Lord during all times – good or bad.
      Spreading Joy recently posted..What is Christmas Joy

      Reply
  7. 13

    I try to thank the Lord for 10 things before I get out of bed each morning. I am very surprised at how many young adults now never say thank you to us for things we do for them. I think this needs to be taught once again.

    Reply
  10. 19

    Yes, yes, yes! I completely agree. It is so hard in our society to stop and be still and thankful. We are called to be thankful in all moments, not just the good, but the daily muddled moments. Beautifully written!

    Reply
  13. 26

    I couldn’t help but feel you had put most people in a box. I understand where you are coming from but I wouldn’t say my children are spoilt brats or are impolite children. For one thing being a large family of seven children we cannot afford to spoil them! They are greatful for everything they receive including the second hand clothing given to us!

    I am actually greatful for my health problems because it’s brought me to where I am today and has shaped the person I am and who my children are.

    I am not saying my children are perfect, far from it but as a catholic family and children who are autistic we have learnt how perfect the world can be even when by society’s standards it isn’t . Our imperfections is what makes everything perfect to us and that’s what we are greatful for.

    Reply
    • 27

      I didn’t intend on placing people in a box Ally. But with all the riots, hatred and anger going on just because people don’t get their way, we’ve lost gratitude for the things that we do have.

      We can’t always get our way and so many forget that. NOT everyone but looking at the news and social media outlets, you can see a growing trend.

      I’m thankful for people like you and the many many other families that teach gratitude. That require their children to respect authority and say thank you when people do things for them. I’m thankful for those people are not angry at the world because of “things” and try to make their world and those around it better.

      I love how you said – Our imperfections is what makes everything perfect! and I couldn’t agree more!

      I grew up on second hand items and so did my children. We had what we needed and that was enough for us.
      🙂

      thank you for adding to this conversation! I value that much more than you may realize.
      Spreading Joy recently posted..What is Christmas Joy

      Reply
  15. 30

    I’ve always believed that gratitude is a powerful attitude to possess. It opens the floodgates to blessings upon blessings. It’s amazing what a grateful heart can achieve.

    Reply

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