Gratitude
I just finished reading a wonderful post this morning, that, for some reason 'tweaked' with me. I don't know why this story came up within my Squirrel brain, as it really has nothing to do with the post I read, but stick with me...
I want you to go back to Christmas 2004. A Level 9 Tsunami rips its way through the Indian Ocean, leaving absolute devastation.
15 Countries, millions of people (directly), affected. The World would never look the same. (Short version).
As the News was breaking, I was on my way to work. Saddened by the devastation, but grateful to be alive (even though it was -brr outside).
There was a great restaurant around the corner from my office, and I had decided I wanted Clam Chowder for lunch, so off I go to get my warm Yummies.
They had a Waitress there, that was never happy, and never had anything good to say, but I just would continue to try to be as nice as I could. I felt bad for her... she was a few years younger than me, but everything was a negative. (We all know the type).
On to my story...
I walk in to order, and who happens to be working? Negative Nelly... oh dear. To side track her from her, possible complaints of the day, I order, and say,
"Isn't it terrible with what happened with the Tsunami?"
"Oh, yes," she responds, "it's horrible. So sad for all those people. How was your Christmas?"
"We had a blast! Thank You for asking! How was yours?" As soon as those words left my mouth, I realized my mistake... crud!
She then went on a tirade about how her sister-in-law made Prime Rib for Christmas Dinner, and not Turkey. Full on anger about a Prime Rib meal!! (During this, I'm thinking, go buy a *darn* Turkey then. Someone cooked a Prime Rib Dinner for you)!
Finally!! My Clam Chowder arrives as she's still carrying on about this Dinner. I kind of lost my happy demeanor... and said, "At least a wave didn't wipe out your home"... and left.
This brings me back around to Gratitude....
There are so many things we can be Grateful for, so I'm making my list of these things. Are you?
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Around bedtime, when we are brushing our teeth or whatever, my husband and I have the habit of asking each other, "What was best for you today?" Sometimes it's easy to think of something but not always. Last night it was a specially nice bit of our old cat purring as she lay next to me on the sofa.
My parents always told me I was ungrateful. They were neglectful abusive people. As a parent myself, I vowed I would do the opposite of everything they did, and I would be a better parent than them.
I don't expect my kids to be grateful. I tell them every day how happy they make me, how proud I am of them, how much I love them, and how GRATEFUL I am for THEM. They are the best thing that ever happened to me (besides the Hubs....he's amazing and it would take up a whole post to tell you what a great guy he is...)
I am grateful for my children, my husband, my home, food on the table, good friends, and the wear-with-all to keep everything together. And I'm thankful a wave has not wiped out my home!
"Oh, yes," she responds, "it's horrible. So sad for all those people. How was your Christmas?"
Classic..leads you in under false pretenses...lulls you into a false sense of security...then wham...a professional misery disperser...even more bizarre is that she probably told the same story a bazillion times, to anyone who was unfortunate enough to engage.
Head down, no eye contact, minimal interaction.
Fine line..being grateful for all that we are and all that we have....as opposed to all that we aren't and all that we don't have. Both grateful yet one with a negative attachment...
Thought provoking as always, thank you.
There was a separatist movement in Northern Sumatra that was smacked flat by the tsunami. It did the Indonesian government a favor!
Some people just don't get it. Perhaps we have to try even harder to do right; show our gratitude, to make up for those who don't.
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Not sure what makes some people so negative and others positive. I do know that I practice gratitude daily. It makes a big difference in my life!
Liz,
(Some days I have to do it hourly... LOL)