On Gratitude

I enjoy reading blog posts, and have about 40-50 that I follow on a regular basis (blogs about education and leadership, news, simplicity, religion, technology, and digital scrapbooking - my favorite hobby). One of the best, however, is Leo Babuta's Zen Habits. He is always insightful and inspiring. One of his early posts is entitled "Why Living a Life of Gratitude Can Make You Happy." In it, he says:

Be Thankful
Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.
~ Author Unknown ~