Having an Attitude of Gratitude

by Bobby C.
(Savannah, Georgia, USA)

Ever wondered what it means to "Keep up with the Jones"? Many times we sit and watch as our neighbors bring home new boats and new cars. We are so quick to say "if only" to ourselves. As we watch our neighbor pull into his driveway with his brand new luxury automobile, jealously rears its ugly head deep within our spirit. "What makes him think he is better than me? If he can have a car like that, I can too." The next thing you know you are off to the nearest car dealership and spend entirely too much money on an item that depreciates the instant it leaves the lot.

Society teaches us through the multitude of advertisements what it thinks we should wear, drive, eat and drink. The average person is bombarded with literally thousands of commercials each week. Roadside billboards, placards on the side of city buses, radio, television, internet and many other avenues are used to guide our subconscious mind toward a particular brand of product. We as a society are being "branded" to think and act a certain way.

Now that I've told you everything you already know, take a journey with me. If you will utilize the tools provided in this chapter, I guarantee it will forever change your life. Utilizing these simple techniques you will change the way you look at ALL situations. You will become thankful for what you have instead of focusing on what you DON'T have.


Technique 1: Compared To Whom?

Instead of comparing yourself to the rich families, look at the families who are living in the poverty stricken area of your city. I'm not implying that we are to look down our noses at them, not at all. What I am implying is compared to their situations, I'm sure your situation is looking pretty darn good. It allows you to see the extreme other end of the spectrum. I often see families that are poverty stricken and my heart goes out to them. I never let an opportunity to share my blessings with them pass by. I'm not ashamed to give my last dollar to that homeless man standing on the corner holding a cardboard sign.

I distinctively remember a time when my wife and I were coming back from the grocery store. We were almost home and we were the third car in line at the stoplight. I noticed what appeared to be an elderly man holding a sign that read "homeless and hungry". I watched as the first car (Mercedes) and the second car (Lexus) passed the man and never looked over. I do not drive an expensive automobile and I don't have an excessive amount of money, but deep within my spirit I felt the need to give. I had $6.00 in my pocket and I was honored to give it to that man.

I often hear people say that all I'm doing is giving that man money to buy more alcohol. That may be absolutely true; however, after I give him the money, it is his money to do what he wished with it. If we all thought that way, we would never help others in need. I give because I would want someone to do the same for me if I were in that situation. My blessing from God is still the same no matter what that man does with the money. Do not worry so much about what others think of you. You are in control of your life and what you manifest into your life by the blessings you bestow upon others. Let other people maintain a negative attitude and outlook on life and they will get their just reward in the end. Follow your heart and your spirit and you can't go wrong.


Technique 2: Thankfulness and Positive Thinking

Stop reading for a moment and take a look at your surroundings. Maybe there is a television or radio playing in the back ground. Maybe the scent of dinner is drifting throughout the house. You can hear your children laughing and playing just outside your window. You have many things to be thankful for. If your eyes open in the morning and you inhale your first breath for the day, be thankful! If you have a roof over your head, food in your stomach, clothes on your back, a car parked in your garage, a loving wife/husband and children, be thankful! So what you don't like your job! Be thankful you have a job.

A well known speaker told a story of a lady who was expressing her dissatisfaction with her job, he told her to stop for one minute and think of one positive thing about her job. She could not think of one thing positive. It was only after some coaching that she was able to think of positive thoughts about her job. Every work place has difficult people. Are you going to let the attitude and personality of one person dictate how your day is going to turn out? Understand that by letting the negative actions of another person change your thoughts from positive to negative; you are allowing them to have control of you. They are ruling over you.

Take a look at the following situation. You are driving to work one morning, the sun is shining, and it has turned out to be a beautiful day. You are noticing the newly bloomed flowers along the shoulder of the road when suddenly another car comes out of nowhere and cuts you off causing you to slam on your brakes to keep from hitting the car. You offer some choice words to the driver and take great pride in telling them they are number one using a "certain" finger. The further you drive the more upset and angry you become. While you are sitting in your car fuming over the situation, they haven't given you another thought. Continuing to let anger build will have a negative impact on your entire day. It will determine the way you treat others, the way you perform your daily duties and the way you will treat your family when you get home because of your bad day.

You are completely capable of controlling your thoughts. Just as easily as you got upset, you could've shoved off the negative feelings. How you wonder? Instead of looking at the stupidity of the other driver, be thankful that you were able to stop thus preventing an accident and possibly injuring you or God forbid ending your time here on Earth. I'm sure you have heard the saying "Every cloud has a silver lining". That is completely true. Every negative has a positive side. It is up to you to search for that positive side. Unfortunately not many people are willing to take the time to do such, but I promise you, if you take the time to look for that "silver lining" it will greatly improve not only your day, but your life as well. Finding the positive in any negative situation will greatly improve your quality of life as well. It is no secret that stress is the number one cause of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and many other medical problems. Finding the positive will instantly decrease the stress level in your body, thus greatly improving your quality of life.