“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” —Melody Beattie
Too often, our hearts weigh heavy with feelings of dissatisfaction. We feel dissatisfied with our incomes, our clothes, our cars, our struggles. We chase material possessions and bigger homes.
Sometimes, the easiest way to feel more satisfaction is to stop comparing what we have to others, and to instead practice wanting what we already have. After all, to be upset over what we don’t have is to waste what we already do.
Practicing gratitude is one of the simple things in life we take for granted. It takes effort, intentionality, and a refusal to be influenced by marketers bent on sowing dissatisfaction in our lives.
But giving thanks can start as small as being grateful for your shelter, your food, or your friends and family.
This week, make a list of 5 things you are grateful for every evening before bed. Repeat the same things if you’d like, or think of new things daily.
By practicing gratitude, dissatisfaction will disappear and be replaced with joy and humility.
Debbie says
Thanks for this awesome article. Blessings to you!
Redrockyogimomma says
God must have inspired your headline. I was sitting here debating sending a frustrated email/text to a family member~~must be the holidays, right?? Your email came through with the headline “Replace Frustration with Appreciation”. Aaaarrrggghhh!! It reminded how much I love the person and am truly grateful for all they do. I’ll try that mantra, “Frustration~~Appreciation…..Frustration~~Appreciation”…..Happy Holidays!! ~~God bless us all :0).
Kathy Gerding Atwell says
I was just reminded of a practice that worked well for me. I often would get to the end of a long day, and feel that I had accomplished nothing! I addressed this with a little trick on myself. I have 3×3 colored post it notes, with out the sticky stuff. And one really pretty blue Mason Jar, that my brother dug out of an old foundation of a home.
Every time I did a task, I would write it down on a piece of paper. And stick it in my jar…. Which I named “Little Victories”
At the end of the day, I could look and see the steps, however small, that I had made toward my goals. It could be something as simple as making a phone call, I was putting off. Or maybe putting 5 dollars toward my emergency fund, or paying an extra 5 dollars toward my debt. (debt free now, thankfully, except the mortgage)
This little thing, which took so little time, reminded me to be grateful for what I had time to accomplish, outside of my job.
It isn’t much, but it worked for me.
Ann-Marie says
Kathy,
I just love this SO much!!! It is important and difficult to see the small steps when you are in the midst of things at times. I am going to do this myself. Thank you for sharing this :)
Tony W says
I used to be baffled when I would hear a celebrity committed suicide. I would say they had it all! Why would they do that?
I believed they had everything to be happy and they should be grateful for what they had.
Years later I learned to take my own advise and be grateful for everything I have. I have been happier ever since ;-)
Kate Daniel says
I once read a piece by Maya Angelou. She was in a profound depression and went to her counselor, who suggested a gratitude practice and handed her a piece of paper and a pencil to write down all that she had to be grateful for. Ms. Angelou became indignant that her many difficult problems were not being addressed. ‘What do I have to be grateful for? Haven’t you been listening?’ The counselor said, ‘well… can you see me?’ ‘Of course I can see you!’ ‘Good. Write “I’m not blind.” Can you hear my voice? “Yes.” Good! Write “I’m not deaf,” or “I can hear.” How did you get to my office from the bus stop?’ ‘I walked…’ ‘Good! Write “I’m not paralyzed…” (No doubt you get where this is going.) :-> Ms. Angelou said she wrote for 20 minutes before stopping; she needed to stop because she could no longer see the paper due to her tears. I’ve never forgotten this simple, basic practice. The things I may take for granted would be the answer to someone else’s prayers. One of my teachers once said, ‘gratitude is the ultimate refuge for a human being.’ I can’t read posts like this one often enough. Thank you!
Mary says
Truth.
Kris says
I began what was “downsizing” in 1982 when I “received permission” to let go. I was only 23. Who loves you when you’re 23? ? 36 years later, I went “through” life gaining and releasing practically everything (so far.) I am dissatisfied with only 1 thing, my gain of 75 lbs bodyweight. Its my 1 focal point of all-things NON-minimal!! I “used to be” svelte and athletic. I’m still strong considering I’ve lumbered thru some years with a large weight. I try getting at its root but refuse to fast or starve. Oh well. I’ve more recently (such as today ? ) looked at gratitude: this weight stemming from a time in my life I am most assuredly UNgrateful for, tho all these years later its unsure 1 single timeframe is REALLY responsible for 1 ponderous heft. Thank you!
LovingLee says
Dear Kris, I lost 110 pounds in a year and gained my life back. It’s been part of removing toxins and simplifying. I’m super simplifying this next year ( downsizing 3600 to 1800 sq. Ft. I hope ?), losing another 20-40 pounds and removing all unnecessary possessions that aren’t to be worn, cherished or useful. You can do it and definitely take it slow! Go for it!
Annie says
Kris, I am also carrying around 50lbs extra that I’m unhappy with. Rather than feeling dissatisfaction with my current body, I am having to conscientiously choose gratitude.
I’m so grateful for this body that has borne and breastfed SIX amazing, beautiful, healthy children! I’m so thankful that my loving husband still finds me deeply attractive and that he gets to experience intimacy with several different female bodies while remaining faithful to one woman. I’m thankful all my limbs and organs are intact and operational! I’m thankful that I’ve been overweight before in my life and I know (1) what it takes to lose, and (2) I’ve lost it before and I can lose it again. I’m thankful for seasons of our life that make us vulnerable enough to have to choose gratitude when it may be more difficult.
And I’m thankful that gratitude is a simple, almost effortless discipline to cultivate.
Andy says
I totally agree. Don’t compare what others have, but instead be grateful for the things we do have. I believe that material possessions come and go, and most are just luxuries instead of necessities. Put family and loved ones ahead of money. Make money to take care of them instead of buying more. And use money to spend more time with them because time can never be replaced. But if you do become rich ethically, help others who are unfortunate because you just may save a life. And no amount of money or material possessions can put a price on life.
So learn to live with less and appreciate the things you do have,
Thank you for sharing.
Deb says
I have a little printed card that I bought decades ago. It says “Happiness is not having what you want; it’s wanting what you have.” Words to live by!
Cathy says
I love this! Thank you Deb.
Karin says
Thank you, this is such an important message – to be grateful and not compare, a trap I all too often fall into!