Gratitude Multiplies Life's Miracles

"Grace neutralizes anguish. We find comfort in our lives. We're satisfied
with who we are and what we have, feeling surprisingly content.
Life doesn't get much better than that."
Melody Beattie, Make Miracles in Forty Days

Miracles can be as simple as gratitude. And yet, for many of us, gratitude can be difficult. Life's been a hard ride through numerous pitfalls for the average person. But it has also been a joyride. How is it that we so easily forget this fact? Well, it has much to do with our perspective and our ability to find mental and emotional balance. What we focus our attention on GROWS. And the average person seems to focus their energies on whatever daily dose of poison comes their way.

Let's look at a typical type of day. We're getting ready for work and we're already frustrated because our hair looks like "crap." No amount of gel or hairspray is enough to make us happy with how our head is looking in the mirror, and we're already complaining it's going to be that type of day. Why? Because our perspective is wrong. If we were focused on being grateful that we have hair, things would be different. Every man or woman who possesses a nice head of hair needs to be grateful for it. Few things in this world are as treasured as a healthy head of hair. Because it's so treasured, there are many men and women who struggle with self-esteem issues over their thinning hair. And all the while there are those of us with nice hair who continually complain: "Oh, it's too thick," "Oh, it's too fine," "Oh, it's too curly" or "Oh, it's too straight." Instead of griping, tomorrow let's practice gratitude for the hair we have. Our day will get off to a much better start.

Next, we jump into the car, hit the road and zoom-up behind a Buick. Buick's rarely move fast. We're focused on getting to work as quickly as possible and so we are instantly upset. We grow impatient and angry, cursing under our breath. Why? Because our perspective is wrong. This is a situation we have little power over, other than possibly passing the Buick. If we can't pass it, we are powerless and so we need to focus on being grateful to the driver ahead of us, instead of cursing him or her. They are offering us a chance to slow down and unwind; to clear our heads and enjoy the journey to the office. Rarely do we enjoy all there is to see, hear and experience as we're driving. We're too focused on the destination. There's no joy in the journey. Is it any wonder we're grumpy? We've chosen to be. Instead of griping, tomorrow let's practice gratitude for the journey. Our day will continue to be better.

Get the idea? When we practice gratitude, our perspectives on life change. We realize God is trying to pull us out of our negative little mindsets and into the greater reality of His positive mindset. Focusing on positives quickly removes the cataracts from our thinking.  We regain our mental and emotional balance as we weight the positives against the negatives. We see and feel that we are blessed in numerous ways. Despite life's pitfalls, we have nothing to complain about because what we have in the here and now is exactly what we want or need. And all is well as we breathe sweetly and allow our souls to shine!

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