Gratitude Despite the Odds

For Americans, it’s almost Thanksgiving. The first Europeans to land in the country celebrated their bounteous harvest at this time of year, and we have made it into a holiday.  We modern inhabitants try to find our own reasons for gratitude, such as our health, career, and family.

Personally, I have challenges with my family, I haven’t been able to work in a while, and I have chronic health issues. I have to exert special effort to find the silver lining in the cloud of constant trials, even at this time of year.

Why Should a Disadvantaged Person Be Grateful?

The pros often outweigh the cons. At any given moment, there’s more “right” with my life than there is “wrong”. I just have a habit of focusing on the negative. Assets in my life include insurance, plenty of food, a house with full utilities, and a circle of nurturing friends.

My ancestors left me a legacy of hard work and endurance:

• They made it possible for me to be born into a time of amazing medical and technological advances.
• Against astronomical odds, my forefathers survived disease, illness, and war. Without their luck, or wise choices, I wouldn’t be here.
• I am reaping the benefits of my predecessors’ hard work and training, just as others have benefited from the legacy of theirs. For example, numbered among the descendants of Jonathan Edwards, 18^th century American theologian, are lawyers, governors, senators, and top company executives. The flip side of this is demonstrated by the family of an unsavory contemporary of Edwards. Many of this man’s descendants ended up in prison.

What are the Universal Benefits of Gratitude?

Optimistic manifestations of The Law of the Harvest (We reap what we sow)--if I plant positivity, I’ll harvest positivity. The same is true of negativity.

Rising to new levels-- Joyce Meyer, well-known American evangelist, is fond of saying, “Complain and remain; praise and be raised.”  In other words, to climb new heights, I must be thankful where I’m at. I have to push through the glass ceiling. 

My Conclusion

I am going through difficult times, so it’s easy to focus on the negative. Yet, the more negativity I call into my life, the more negativity will be exhibited in my life.

Darkness breeds more darkness; light breeds more light. That’s The Law of the Harvest.

Pessimism doesn’t sow the seeds of a victorious life; positivity does.

How have you woven optimism into your life?