So it stands to reason with Thanksgiving just around the corner the thoughts of gratitude would come up. What about when the holidays doesn't bring out the best in us? What if instead of warmth and love it brings instead cold and bitterness?
When looking at the definition of bitterness the one that stood out to me was sharpness of taste: lack of sweetness. The more I think about how bitterness as a lack of sweetness, and the people I know who are bitter, that really brings compassion to my heart. We all have great things in our lives, but do we often spend more time focusing on whats lacking? What went wrong? What didn't happen? What I should have done?
"I never met a bitter person who was thankful. Or a thankful person who was bitter." Nick Vujicic
Gratitude is the quality of being thankful, readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. I often feel like we are in such a big hurry we often don't take the time and look around for the things we should be grateful for. I think sometimes we overlook those that are the closest to us. When we find ourselves feeling unappreciated for all we are doing, it gives us an opportunity to take a look at ourselves and ask "am I being grateful for what I have"? It never fails when we choose to show gratitude, our attitude changes in an instant.
What if you woke up tomorrow with only the things you were grateful for today?