Practicing Gratitude

I came across this anonymous piece of writing that I may put on the refrigerator. Maybe you’ve seen it. It’s all about practicing gratitude and although it may seem like a bunch of platitudes, I’m not so sure.  Have a read:

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.

If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something,

for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,

because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,

because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary,

because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who

are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,

and they can become your blessings.

Have you ever noticed that the people who seem the happiest and most peaceful are sometimes carrying much heavier burdens than you realize? Where does their peace come from?

I think it’s from a practice of mindfulness, from focusing on what’s happening right now, rather than dwelling on the past or the future. Once you realize that neither the past nor the future actually exists, you understand that all you really have is the present.

When you stop dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, you suddenly have more time to pay attention to what’s going on now and you also have a greater ability to focus. Your concentration and your engagement deepen because you are not distracted. And that makes you feel invigorated and alive.

Feeling focused and alive often makes you notice the good things that you might otherwise have missed. Doing that every day – or as often as possible – is practicing gratitude.