Putting gratitude in our lives
It is probably impossible to overestimate the value of gratitude. We all know how nice it is to be thanked for some small kindness or good deed which we have done for another. And of course, someone who is truly thankful is likely to make us feel so good about ourselves that we can't wait to perform another act of kindness for that person. But perhaps more important than the warm feeling that we get when someone expresses their gratitude to us, is the positive outlook that gratitude usually engenders in the person who is grateful. That is, the feeling of being grateful helps to keep us focused on the positive. Instead of harping on how bad things are, or regretting the past, gratitude looks for the positive aspect and the silver lining. And although we all may occasionally feel sorry for ourselves, we can alleviate some of these feelings by getting into the habit of reminding ourselves of how much we have to be thankful for. Our good health, having friends and family who care about us, and even something as mundane as going to work, are truly things for which we ought to be grateful. We should spend some time each day counting our blessings. We might be pleasantly surprised to find that this exercise itself will make our lives better.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.
N.I.V. 1 Chronicles 16:34
