I came across a quote by William Author Ward that states, “feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
Throughout the last few years, I have been working on sharing my gratitude. No matter the situation, I can always find something I am grateful for but it took some time to get in the habit of expressing it.
Recently, someone came back into my life but didn’t stay long. When they made their exit, I expressed how grateful I was for the time they spent in my life and I told them a few things I loved about them and wished them the best in their journey through life. It was not received well.
The reactions to my attitude of gratitude range from acceptance to hate. You’re probably wondering why someone would have a hateful reaction to a person telling them they are grateful. There are many reasons for this. Sometimes people can’t understand that if they are so great, why I would choose to leave their life. Others may view an exit from their life as an act of betrayal. Whatever the reason for a poor response, it’s not up to us to fix for them.
Every experience and encounter has a purpose. Showing gratitude just means that you understand it has meaning that will assist you in life’s journey.
Gratitude comes in many forms and creates many outcomes. I can love and care about someone and exit their life. It doesn’t mean the feelings were invalid. Maybe the encounter taught me to love again but also showed me what I wanted and didn’t want in my life. In life, we choose what we feel is best for us.
What doesn’t align, doesn’t align, even if you’re grateful, and that’s okay. Even if it aligns but doesn’t work out, gratitude for the experience is a great way to move forward.
Sadly, in the mind of those who need acceptance from others, it feels like the rug is being pulled from under them. I try my hardest to leave people better than where I found them but many times, that’s not up to me. The only thing in my control is my actions. No matter what is done to me or how a situations comes to an end, I choose to express gratitude and move on with life as a wiser version of me.
Having an attitude of gratitude takes away some of the feeling of being overwhelmed in life. It keeps your mind focused on the “good” that came out of scenarios and hopefully lessens the anxiety of trying to convince yourself you made the right choices.
Every moment in your life has a purpose. There is no right or wrong way to live. Your path is for you to walk and no one can tell you different so if someone cuts you off in traffic, thank them for possibly helping you avoid an accident or your child comes to you last minute for help with a project, thank them for trusting you to be their support in their time of stress.
Things can always be better and things can get worse but there is always something to be grateful for. I hope in your day today, you find moments to have an attitude of gratitude.
Look Within 