Gratitude the Attitude

It's more than just an action, it's an attitude.

On my way to work every morning for the past couple of weeks I have noticed the same man in the same place, wearing the same things. He is an elderly black man, quite obviously homeless. He wears black clothes - long sleeved shirt and pants, a black cap with a bandana on underneath it, even on days like today when it is supposed to be 100+ degrees. He sits at the corner by the bus station with bags and a rolling cart with some clothes or something in it. He doesn't panhandle, doesn't bother anybody, there are no signs asking for pity or hand outs. He is just simply sitting there with what little he has watching the traffic go bustling by as we all hurriedly scatter our different directions to jobs or homes or appointments. He doesn't have much, but doesn't seem to want much either. He has this air of contentment to him that struck me a while ago, but more this morning than ever.

This morning started off like most other mornings. The alarm goes off, Chad hits the snooze and climbs back into bed so that we can curl up together just a little longer. Finally, we relinquish the idea of staying in bed all day cuddling to wander zombie-like to shower. Showering done, we get dressed and ready to head out the door. Not very exciting stuff, but it is part of the routine. This morning the routine broke in a heavy way. I got a call just as I was finishing my hair from my boss. He has had his struggles lately (not anything that I am going to post here, not mine to share) His life is changing in almost every realm that it possibly can. He resigned from his job this morning. A part of me was shocked, sad, worried and wanting to support him all at once. He seems to have the need for a more simple life. So as I drove to work and saw that man sitting by the bus station and thought about my overwhelmed boss, I thought of how grateful I was for what I have in my life.

Gratitude is the expression of appreciation. It is an acknowledgement of benefit or thankfulness. So why is it so difficult for people to say those two words? 'Thank you' can be be the hardest words for people to say, but they are also the two best words to hear.

Having gratitude replaces and eliminates so many other troubles and worries. If you are happy or content with what you have and express that, you aren't likely to want for more or lose what you have. There isn't added pressure or stress to attain things that aren't needed. It opens us up to feel love, to share love - which is the greatest gift any of us have. Love for what we have, who we are, the people we know, what surrounds us gives an intimate sense peace with ourselves and our surroundings. That calm that comes from being thankful, from being gracious has a multitude of benefits. People without stress live longer, it lowers blood pressure, reduces anxiety, reduces risk of stroke. How many times have you heard of a doctor telling someone to reduce stress in their lives? There is a reason for that.

Practicing gratitude, saying thank you, appreciating things will make graciousness almost second nature. Once you recognize things that you are grateful for, express it. Take notice of the good things around you and release yourself to the acknowledgement that this life is what we make of it. It is a reminder to yourself to be positive. It keeps you in a frame of mind where things are good. Focusing on the negative is so easy, letting that negativity go can be so very difficult. If you are filling your thoughts with what makes you happy, it makes it less room for what's missing. Telling people thank you not only gives that happiness to them, it gives it to you as well.

Make gratitude your attitude, not just a fleeting action. With gratitude for your eyes gracing my words ~ Andrea