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, 18th 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?
