An attitude of gratitude

By MARY JANE HOLT
Contributing Writer

There is nothing you cannot do or go through with an attitude of gratitude. Granted, you may have to do it or go through it regardless of what kind of attitude you have, but an attitude of gratitude can make the difference in kicking against the pricks as Paul of old might say, or just going with the flow. And beyond those two choices is the option of actually rejoicing amidst whatever the circumstances might be in which you find yourself on any given day.

I’ve said it before. I will say it again. Thanksgiving makes a world of difference. I’m glad America has a day that is set aside for Thanksgiving.

The turkey is okay. All the trimmings aren’t bad either. The desserts are great for a few days, at least until the scales have their say. But the attitude of the day, now, that’s really something worth celebrating again and again.

You know, it’s almost impossible to be discouraged, disgruntled, disillusioned, and thankful at the same time. You just can’t be filled with anger, doubt, greed, resentment, self-pity, confusion, jealousy, fear… and be filled with thanksgiving at the same time.

What kind of difference do you suppose it would make in your life if the first thing you did when you woke up every morning was to say, “thank you…” Thank God. Thank a loved one. Thank a stranger. For something. For anything. For many things.

And what if the last thing you did every night was say “thank you.” To God. To a loved one. To a stranger. For something. For anything.

Somehow, we Americans get so caught up in the everyday run of the mill affairs of our lives that we often forget how much control we have over so much. We become frustrated, tired, weary, angry. We feel used. Abused. Put down. Unappreciated. Underpaid.

We do. Don’t deny it. No matter what your job, vocation, profession or dedication. You feel, at times, that there are those who do not appreciate you, or even care what you do. Don’t deny it. At least, not to me. I know better. I’ve been there.

And I’ve tried this attitude of thanksgiving that I am telling you about today. It makes all the difference in the world and may have some degree of influence on the world to come. I don’t know that for sure, but sometimes I think our attitudes (all of them) not only influence this world, this time, this place as we know them, but yeah, the worlds to come, as well, for us and for all those with whom we share all that is.

So, you are at the end of your rope. You don’t even have the strength left to tie a knot and hang on. You have two choices. Hang on anyway until help comes, or let go… Ah, the miracle of letting go.

Another column for another day. Letting go is often a miracle unto itself, not quite like choosing, cultivating and maintaining an ever present attitude of gratitude. But, yes, letting go can be a good thing sometimes.

No matter what the circumstances may be in which you find yourself this holiday season, and through all the seasons of your life, I challenge you this day, to cop an attitude of gratitude about them. Resolve to start each day with a simple thank you. Close each day with the same. In a matter of time, you will find that all the hours in between will become interlaced with little thank yous.

And when those thank yous start to come from the heart (yes, I’m suggesting you say thank you in the beginning, even if you don’t mean it), and when the words start to come from your heart, it will change your life and the lives of those around you.

There’s no way I can prove the truth that I speak today. This is one of those times you must take me at my word and try it. Very seldom do I ever ask anyone to do that. I know better.

But I will ask this of you. Start saying your thank yous today. Say them regularly. Routinely. Begin to feel them. Start to recognize them in the most unlikely places and amidst the most gosh awful circumstances.

Trust me on this one. An attitude of gratitude will (not can, will) change your life and the lives of those around you!