In Others’ Words: Practicing Gratitude
It’s November, the month when our thoughts more easily turn toward thankfulness. After all, this is the month when we have an entire day devoted to giving thanks — and weeks to prepare for the celebration.
And yet, isn’t it true that when we want a reason to be thankful we don’t have to chase after “extraordinary moments” of happiness? Gratitude is about paying attention to what’s going on here and now. Today. This moment. Being present in our lives rather than running after something else … something grander … something more. I’m not saying don’t dream. You all know I believe in dreaming BIG. I’m talking about the wanting that leads to discontent and causes us to overlook what we do have — all the reasons we have to be thankful.
And gratitude also means we learn to be content with our lives rather than longing for someone else’s life. Someone else’s story. In C.S. Lewis’s novel A Horse and His Boy, Shasta complains to Aslan about why things go a certain way for him but they go another (supposedly better) way for his companion, Aravis. Aslan replies: Child, I am telling you your story, not hers. No one is told any story but their own.
In Your Words: What helps you practice gratitude?
In Others’ Words: Practicing Gratitude http://ctt.ec/PJvBm+ #InOthersWords #quotes #gratitude @bethvogt
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“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness …” http://ctt.ec/AnJpH+ @BreneBrown #gratitude @bethvogt
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Thanksgiving’s coming and the authors over at The Grove have so much to be thankful for! Between Nov. 1-23, enter our “Grateful for Our Readers” contest for a chance to win a bundle of 8 books by Kristy Cambron, Katie Ganshert, Sarah Ladd, Cara Putman, Katherine Reay, Melissa Tagg, Courtney Walsh, and me! To enter, just click on the image above or enter here!
Enter the Grateful for Our Readers #bookgiveaway! Thank you from @theGrove_story authors to you! http://ctt.ec/lv2j2+ #chrisfic
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