I write often of gratitude, I know, but I am convinced it needs to be a fundamental part of our spiritual practice. It makes all the difference in the world if we see all as gift, rather than as our entitlement.
I came across this advice from an unknown author the other day and I thought its wisdom was worth sharing. It reminds us of the breadth of things we can be thankful for, not just the obvious things.
Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for difficult times, because they give you the opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary, because it means you made a difference.
It’s easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they become your blessings.
I was reminded when I read this of a poem Elena wrote when she was nine years old. The title is I’m Thankful and you can find it here.
Creo en Dios! 