Thursday, May 21, 2009

Choosing to live in Gratitude

At work, at home, or out in the world, I notice people tend to fall into one of two camps: Gratitude or Victim.

It's not so much the external events that designate placement, but an internal choice of which glasses to wear. I've seen people experience life-changing trauma and their view continues to be out the window of Gratitude. For others, life is pretty good by most standards, and still their outlook comes from a place of bitterness with a song of "poor me"...

I have lived in both camps - and I have jumped from one to the other (and back!) many, many times. I am fortunate to have had a friend who would point out the victim in me when I didn't see her. "I have to do this, I have to do that..." would bring reminders that I choose to do them all.

Many times it didn't seem like a choice. But it was - I was choosing to do what was necessary to care for infants and keep my job. It was the right choice, even though I didn't feel like doing it at the time, and didn't feel like there was another option. There is always another option.

I wish I knew a way to move someone permanently to a position of gratitude. My patients with an "attitude of gratitude" seem to do better as they recover from their injuries compared to those who focus on how they've been wronged. If only they would believe me when I remind them of how blessed they are. If only they knew the power of gratitude.

Focusing my attention on what I have been given rather than on what I lack has made a tremendous impact on my life... Life changing. Literally. My perspective influences every decision I make.

Every choice: Gratitude or Victim. With each event or interaction, I am given the opportunity to choose. What will I decide? How shall I view it? Will I remember?

I have much for which to be grateful. Even in the midst of grief and struggles. In the whirlwind of the end of school year schedule, I am blessed.

Very, Very Blessed.

I choose Gratitude!

1 comment:

Susan said...

I love this post! You are right. It's a delicious choice we get to make moment by moment. You're a treasure.