I find when I’m unhappy, I’ve forgotten to be grateful. Being intentional about being grateful shifts everything from my mood to my actions. One of the best life lessons that I have learned is to practice gratitude.
I find happiness very fleeting so I look for moments that give me joy. However, doing something nice for someone or helping the needy that does make me happy so I would say I feel grateful when I can put a smile on someone’s face or bring some joy to someone.
I’m grateful my negative Nellie assumptions about what I assumed would happen were wrong. I made a wrong idea and I’m so grateful I can see it. It doesn’t snap me back into a positive outlook but I start veering in that direction. I’m grateful for stability and predictability after a long, long season of drama and trauma. I’m grateful to live in a space that has enough … just enough is such a luxury! I’m grateful there are still places I can shop for food that aren’t as crazy overpriced as others. And I’m grateful for the quiet time at the end of the day to say thanks and be still.
Gratefulness makes me happy often actually, because its natures flow. When I am grateful I notice all the positive things that are available right now. That makes me happy. Thank you ! I’m grateful you are all here!
Because I participated in A Network for Grateful Living AKA Grateful Living programs and used some of the resources, I became much more conscious and appreciative for my daily blessings. I’ve written a daily gratitude journal since March 2011. I feel happy when I recognize and record my blessings. I realize how fortunate I am and recommit to my gratitude spiritual practice. As we say at Mass, it is right and just to give God thanks” and to give thanks to others as well. I feel happy when I do this action.
I think about complaining. There are people who complain about everything and everyone. No matter how small or how big. We complain about the weather, the food, the kids, our significant others, the house, the car, our physical appearances, bills, money, the job, the boss at work—I could go on and on. It’s no surprise we feel stressed and depressed when we constantly focus on negativity. We can change some things, but not others. Still, complaining only focuses on our problems, creating a “me, me, me” attitude. It’s selfishness wrapped in a camouflaged box. It’s negative and not edifying to one’s soul.
I decided to embrace grateful living. In my opinion, it’s not about what life always does to us; it is what we do to ourselves. Think about some good things and minimize the complaining. This attitude may bring one to have a negative outlook on life. I do not want to be in a room where everyone is breathing out dragon-fire complaints about their lives or what they have been missing out on in life being married 5 or 30 something years. I want to hear one person say, Our marriage is a good one, and smile.
Not on point to the question, but I hope to see Avril back again and I miss Kevin. I imagine his ankylosing spondylitis gives him enough to deal with in a day.
Yes Barb, I think about both Avril and Kevin. They have added so much to our thoughts and conversations. I hope that Kevin is doing Ok…but I imagine his AS is unrelenting. Thank you for thinking of our friends!
Just a few minutes ago as I sat down with my breakfast I thought, “Thank you, Former Me, for making these pumpkin cinnamon rolls on Friday! And thank you, sweetheart, for the fresh pot of French press coffee.” Whether it’s the gratitude or the goodies that makes me happy, either way I notice and pay attention to these moments and to so many more.
When I am blocked in self-pity for what I think I’m misfortune, the practice of gratefulness brings me back to my happiness. I remind myself that things that are ordinary to me could be someone’s dreams. I tell myself that I am happy for what I have, not what I want.
This past weekend, I had the good fortune of being able to winter camp in the Rockies. My husband and I went Nordic skiing. I was lost in my head (ruminating) and suddenly I looked around at miles of deep snow, conifers with crusted with snow, the blue sky, and snapped into gratitude. And then, taking in the scenery, I felt happy. It seemed like gratefulness was the doorway to a bigger feeling of happiness.
About a week ago (on Nov 23), I shared a Celtic prayer that I really like. I remember an experience several months ago when I was in a grumpy, self-pitying mood. I sat down for meditation and meditated on that passage (which includes the line “I arise today, blessed by all things…” and then goes on to list some blessings that indeed were true in my life. It totally changed my outlook and I came out of the meditation session feeling grateful and happy.
Being grateful in the small things is a great mind free’r. It’s like that mustard seed of faith and helps keep you present. Nothing beyond right now matters because yesterday is gone and tomorrow hasn’t come yet, so be happy in this moment. So, trust in God/high power/universe and live happy now because someone most likely has it worse somewhere.
Like many have stated, being grateful has allowed me to have a clearer understanding and a shift in perspective. The other day, I was thinking about how I wanted to be at a certain place in my life. After some reflecting, I realized I already am in this space. I just didn’t take the time to actually look. Then I began to wonder what else do I feel like I’m “missing”, when in reality, I might already have it.
Happy isn’t the word that I would use to describe my gratefulness.
But I don’t think that is the point of the question. Or is it?
Maybe that is exactly the point,
or maybe that is the point of the question for me.
Happy feels to me like a temporary feeling,
that comes from someone giving something to me.
Gratefulness is also often temporary for me,
but that is only because I forget to practice gratefulness.
Gratefulness can be a way of life.
As I gradually move toward living life with gratefulness,
I also feel peace, love contentment and joy.
These are the feelings,
the states of being
that come with living life with gratefulness.
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I find when I’m unhappy, I’ve forgotten to be grateful. Being intentional about being grateful shifts everything from my mood to my actions. One of the best life lessons that I have learned is to practice gratitude.
I find happiness very fleeting so I look for moments that give me joy. However, doing something nice for someone or helping the needy that does make me happy so I would say I feel grateful when I can put a smile on someone’s face or bring some joy to someone.
I’m grateful my negative Nellie assumptions about what I assumed would happen were wrong. I made a wrong idea and I’m so grateful I can see it. It doesn’t snap me back into a positive outlook but I start veering in that direction. I’m grateful for stability and predictability after a long, long season of drama and trauma. I’m grateful to live in a space that has enough … just enough is such a luxury! I’m grateful there are still places I can shop for food that aren’t as crazy overpriced as others. And I’m grateful for the quiet time at the end of the day to say thanks and be still.
I noticed tonight that it was $1.72 for a pack of gum at walmart. Oh my gosh, I wonder just how much more prices can possibly go up!
Gratefulness makes me happy often actually, because its natures flow. When I am grateful I notice all the positive things that are available right now. That makes me happy. Thank you ! I’m grateful you are all here!
I am grateful that you are here Antoinette.
Antoinette, Thanks…very helpful words to explain the power of gratefulness.
Because I participated in A Network for Grateful Living AKA Grateful Living programs and used some of the resources, I became much more conscious and appreciative for my daily blessings. I’ve written a daily gratitude journal since March 2011. I feel happy when I recognize and record my blessings. I realize how fortunate I am and recommit to my gratitude spiritual practice. As we say at Mass, it is right and just to give God thanks” and to give thanks to others as well. I feel happy when I do this action.
Yes indeed, feel the same way when I attend my weekly Mass
I think about complaining. There are people who complain about everything and everyone. No matter how small or how big. We complain about the weather, the food, the kids, our significant others, the house, the car, our physical appearances, bills, money, the job, the boss at work—I could go on and on. It’s no surprise we feel stressed and depressed when we constantly focus on negativity. We can change some things, but not others. Still, complaining only focuses on our problems, creating a “me, me, me” attitude. It’s selfishness wrapped in a camouflaged box. It’s negative and not edifying to one’s soul.
I decided to embrace grateful living. In my opinion, it’s not about what life always does to us; it is what we do to ourselves. Think about some good things and minimize the complaining. This attitude may bring one to have a negative outlook on life. I do not want to be in a room where everyone is breathing out dragon-fire complaints about their lives or what they have been missing out on in life being married 5 or 30 something years. I want to hear one person say, Our marriage is a good one, and smile.
I agree whole heartedly, Katherine. My lovely wife Cheryl and I have been married for 36 yrs. Some good some bad. More good than bad. I am smiling.
Not on point to the question, but I hope to see Avril back again and I miss Kevin. I imagine his ankylosing spondylitis gives him enough to deal with in a day.
Agree!
They are on my mind a lot too. I hope we hear from them at some point.
Yes Barb, I think about both Avril and Kevin. They have added so much to our thoughts and conversations. I hope that Kevin is doing Ok…but I imagine his AS is unrelenting. Thank you for thinking of our friends!
I hope for the same thing, Barb.
Just a few minutes ago as I sat down with my breakfast I thought, “Thank you, Former Me, for making these pumpkin cinnamon rolls on Friday! And thank you, sweetheart, for the fresh pot of French press coffee.” Whether it’s the gratitude or the goodies that makes me happy, either way I notice and pay attention to these moments and to so many more.
When I am blocked in self-pity for what I think I’m misfortune, the practice of gratefulness brings me back to my happiness. I remind myself that things that are ordinary to me could be someone’s dreams. I tell myself that I am happy for what I have, not what I want.
More people need to realize this, Ngoc: “I am happy for what I have, not what I want.”
As far as your answer is concerned, that’s similar to mine despite the different wording.
My Ngoc, “When I’m blocked in self-pity for what I think I’m in misfortune.”
This past weekend, I had the good fortune of being able to winter camp in the Rockies. My husband and I went Nordic skiing. I was lost in my head (ruminating) and suddenly I looked around at miles of deep snow, conifers with crusted with snow, the blue sky, and snapped into gratitude. And then, taking in the scenery, I felt happy. It seemed like gratefulness was the doorway to a bigger feeling of happiness.
About a week ago (on Nov 23), I shared a Celtic prayer that I really like. I remember an experience several months ago when I was in a grumpy, self-pitying mood. I sat down for meditation and meditated on that passage (which includes the line “I arise today, blessed by all things…” and then goes on to list some blessings that indeed were true in my life. It totally changed my outlook and I came out of the meditation session feeling grateful and happy.
“I arise today, blessed by all things.” Thank you Elizabeth H. So simple, so powerful.
Being grateful in the small things is a great mind free’r. It’s like that mustard seed of faith and helps keep you present. Nothing beyond right now matters because yesterday is gone and tomorrow hasn’t come yet, so be happy in this moment. So, trust in God/high power/universe and live happy now because someone most likely has it worse somewhere.
Like many have stated, being grateful has allowed me to have a clearer understanding and a shift in perspective. The other day, I was thinking about how I wanted to be at a certain place in my life. After some reflecting, I realized I already am in this space. I just didn’t take the time to actually look. Then I began to wonder what else do I feel like I’m “missing”, when in reality, I might already have it.
Happy isn’t the word that I would use to describe my gratefulness.
But I don’t think that is the point of the question. Or is it?
Maybe that is exactly the point,
or maybe that is the point of the question for me.
Happy feels to me like a temporary feeling,
that comes from someone giving something to me.
Gratefulness is also often temporary for me,
but that is only because I forget to practice gratefulness.
Gratefulness can be a way of life.
As I gradually move toward living life with gratefulness,
I also feel peace, love contentment and joy.
These are the feelings,
the states of being
that come with living life with gratefulness.
It’s when I develop what I have instead of going after my desires. I don’t have a lot of them right now.
I agree with Yram.
This is very wise, Loc.
Thank you.
No problem, Mary.
This is very wise. Thank you!
Thanks Yram.