Attitude of Gratitude
posted on: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 by: rbauer
Those who use Facebook no doubt noticed a number of friends
posting daily notices (marked as "Day 1," "Day 2," etc.) this
month, identifying specific things and people in their lives for
which they are grateful.
In this season of giving thanks and preparing for Christmas,
tens of thousands of people -- whether on Facebook or elsewhere --
are consciously stopping long enough each day to discern and write
down at least one thing for which they are grateful.
The Facebook event is designed to remind us just how blessed we
are, no matter what, how much for which we have to be thankful.
The "Attitude of Gratitude" movement has erupted on Facebook.
Oprah Winfrey has featured the attitude of gratitude on more than
one of her shows, especially during her final year
broadcasting.
It is interesting to see how many people jump on the Facebook
event or buy a book on the subject because others are doing
it. But don't we do it every day in some little way?
Sometimes when I find it hard to fall asleep at night I try to
think of 5 things I am grateful for from the day. They are
personal and they are different every time, but no matter how
difficult things seem, there is always something for which to be
grateful. This spiritual exercise always has a calming
effect.
Gratitude is easy when life is good. But when life is not
so good, when we are suffering, gratitude for anything in life is
harder to see. And we might need someone to help us find
things to be grateful for.
Praying, reading scripture, saying a mantra or silently
meditating work to dissolve heaviness in the heart. It takes time;
it takes patience; and it takes gratitude.
Practicing an attitude of gratitude -- for one's family, for
one's career or for a sunny day -- makes you focus on God's many
blessings. There is so much more than one blessing a
day, and it is not just a November thing. The practice of gratitude
makes happy people. It is a part of our faith and hopefully
it is my attitude all the time.
Peace and all good -- Sister Laura