Jimbob's Journal
Gratitude is the Attitude by
Jim Harris
OK, everybody up. It's time for
a little gratitude. No, it's not Thanksgiving, I'm thinking of
something a bit more abiding and pervasive. I'm talking deep down,
every day, happy to be alive.
They say that it's hard to feel
angry or resentful when you're busy being grateful. Nowhere in
the known universe (except possibly Disney World) is there a sign
that says, "Happiness Guaranteed". In fact, in the midst
of all of Nature's chaos and upheaval, it's astounding that we
can manage to string together even a few moments of happiness
on a daily basis. Yet most of us do at least that well. All things
considered, our system works pretty efficiently. It protects most
of us most of the time, at least espouses high ideals. Thousands
of preceding generations did most of the unpleasant legwork that
got us here, and what the future holds is anyone's guess, so enjoy
the view from this mountaintop. If you aren't grateful for the
good stuff, your probably going to have serious problems with
the bad stuff.
I've always said that my happiest
moments were all in my head. No fireworks, no cheering crowds,
just a quiet, deep-down feeling of gratitude. Not only for the
love and the beauty and the fun, but also for the difficult times
that forced me to grow. They're all part of a rich life. Every
morning and every night, rain or shine, good or bad, I say,"
Thank you for this life, thank you for this day". Whether
I'm saying it to God or to Nature, or just for the record, it
really doesn't matter. I am the beneficiary. It doesn't mean being
happy while my brother or sister is sad, or being complacent in
the face of suffering, it just means acknowledging every simple
gift that I receive. I have often been inspired by the gratitude
in people much less fortunate than myself.
I don't have to look far to see
where I got my present attitude. My mom recently passed away (yes,
she was a saint on my short list of saints). After losing her
husband in the 1950's, she opted not to remarry. She raised me
and supported herself on a waitress' salary. She worked well into
her eighties. I never heard her complain. She was determined to
be happy and to have fun, and she worked at it, but not to the
extent of being selfish. Her idea of a good time always involved
sharing with others. She surrounded herself with friends and pets
and beautiful things. She took an interest in the life of her
world. She still read the paper every day at 94, and had an opinion
on just about everything, but not in an arrogant or superior way.
She never took herself too seriously, and remained humble in the
devout beliefs that sustained her so wonderfully right up until
the end. If I learned anything from her, it's this - you are not
owed anything in this world. You're born, and anything good beyond
that is gravy. Soak it up and be glad. The example you set will
inspire others to do the same.
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