“No matter what you get, you always want more.” Irritated by my seeming lack of gratitude, I remember my mother uttering those words countless times. I didn’t pay her any more attention than my daughter pays to me when I say the very same words to her. But isn’t it true of us all. We never quite get enough. If asked to name 3 things you desire right now, is there anyone who has trouble coming up with an answer? I doubt it.
Now, don’t get me wrong. There is nothing bad about wanting. In fact, it is our asking (wanting) that contributes to the expansion of this great Universe. Without it, we’d eventually cease to be. But it is equally important to show gratitude for what is.
Most of our lives are so filled with abundance that we take it for granted. We focus on want, want, want so much that we rarely (if ever) stop to say, “I am so thankful for ….”
Those who are religious may get on their knees to pray, but how much time is spent saying “thank you for…” as opposed to saying “please bless…please give….please make sure….?” Those who are of a more Eastern religious thought may seek to avoid the wanting—focusing on wanting to not want. Again, isn’t it much easier and more rewarding to simply offer thoughts of gratitude and appreciation?
When our minds are open to the amazing lives that we lead, the experience of happiness is inevitable. Abundance continues to come forth in response to our positive, appreciative vibration. To the contrary, when we forget about gratitude, we neglect one of our core responsibilities. And guess who feels the impact…everyone.
Children and parents, siblings, husbands and wives, employees and employers, businesses and customers. So many groups of people endure dysfunction, communication breakdowns, and destroyed relationships because one or the other feels unappreciated. And I’ve yet to even mention the impact that the what-is-not-yet-here focus has on your personal point of attraction.
For many of us, the things that we are most guilty of taking for granted are those that continually add benefit to our lives—despite our neglect. You know… the ones we don’t stop to give thanks for because we don’t actually have to.
What are your neglected gifts? A healthy, beating heart? Lungs that supply oxygen to your body? A child who wants nothing in the world more than your time? A spouse who cooks, cleans, and raises the kids while you’re away? A friend who will sacrifice anything to help if you’re in need? A warm bed to sleep in at night?
Whether you are experiencing an immense amount of good fortune or an insane amount of hardship, you’re bound to feel your spirit soar when you embrace an attitude of gratitude. Yes, I know it is easy to get so involved in what you want for the future that you just “don’t have time” to stop and concentrate on the present moment. But realize that you actually do have time. You have time right now. How you spend that time is your choice.
Don’t keep letting time pass until you someday look back and create a long list of life regrets. Don’t wait until your gifts are gone–until your heart stops beating or your kids grow up. Don’t wait until you’re signing divorce papers or wishing your friend hadn’t replaced you with a real friend. Make time to show appreciation and gratitude for the abundance in your life. Do it now and do it often. Do it while you still can. The only time that is promised to us is the present.
Related Self Improvement Blog Posts
Never Satisfied: Law of Attraction for Those Who Always Desire More Stuff
Nea is a Transformational Life Coach whose mission is to help you love your life.
If you desire the “good life” and you want to know how Nea can help you attain it, contact her now.
Hi, I'm Nea. As a 
{ 13 comments }
Great article. THANK YOU. Which reminds me that wanting to not want is still wanting!
Thanks for reading the article, Brenda.
We have to always be grateful for what we have. Although I don’t say what I am grateful for each day, I think about it subconsciously. Even the littlest things, its important to be grateful
So true Alex. The little things often seem much bigger when they’re missing.
Hi Nea,
I’m a fairly new reader here. I love this post, and couldn’t agree more
Especially this line: We focus on want, want, want so much that we rarely (if ever) stop to say, “I am so thankful for ….”
I think we get more of what we ‘want want want’ when we start giving, and part of giving is being grateful – especially being grateful for the people we already have in our lives.
What a positive and uplifting article. Thank You Nea!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the article. And thanks a ton for sharing your positive feedback.
Nea you are so right. To really find happiness you have to learn to be grateful. I like to list 3 things every evening that I am grateful about for that day.
When we start being grateful for what we do have we start enjoying every moment in the day, instead of hearing the ‘I wish’ list.
Debbie
I love that idea Debbie–writing a little gratitude list each night sounds awesome. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Nea, gratitude is so much more powerful than most people realize. We all understand that we create what we focus on, so many people focus on what they want but don’t have. Unknowingly, they are focusing on lack and that is what they will continue to create. On the other hand, when we focus on our blessings with a grateful heart, what do we create? We create more blessings to be grateful for.
Isn’t it funny how our children open our eyes to what we put our own parents through, it all comes around!
Oh yes Jonathan. It all comes around. I often wonder if I learn more about life and myself through my daughter than she learns from me. I think I’ll go have a gratitude session with her right now.
Nea,
Leo Buscalglia, in one of his books, tells what his father did while he was growing up. Each night during supper the family took turns telling what they learned that day. As they shared what they noticed and learned each day, this helped them remember to think of things he was grateful for each day.
Sandra
Leo’s father was a brilliant dad. I love the idea.
You’re right. Gratitude is something people take for granted. I’m guilty even of this. I keep wanting more–and wanting more will never keep us satisfied. And this leads to dissatisfaction and unhappiness. If we take the time to be grateful for the things we have, we’d realized how lucky we are, and how life is not so bad after all. This post reminded me of an article I just read http://sn.im/vlvx4 about the powers of gratitude.
Thanks for this wonderful article.
Comments on this entry are closed.