Gratitude. Gratitude is defined as “The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness” (Oxford Dictionary). It is easy to be grateful for the good we receive (e.g., kindness). It is always a bit more challenging to show appreciation for the less pleasurable.
The other night, I heard a story I have heard a number of times before. It is a story of a boy who receives a tremendous pile of manure. He proceeds to dig through the pile enthusiastically. Shocked by his pleasure, his brother asks why he is so happy for receiving a pile of sh**. The boy responds: “With a pile of manure this big, there has gotta be a horse in here somewhere.”
How often do we fail to see the horse for the pile of poop? It is difficult—for some, nearly impossible—to see the good in our present circumstance(s). But, how closely are we really looking?
I fall victim to the manure pile more often than I prefer to recount. With practice, however, I am learning to look for the horse.
Gratitude is not instinctive. Indeed, our instincts are for self-preservation. So, it is not natural for us to consider others before ourselves. It is less natural for us to view our circumstances beyond the immediate impact on our lives. Nonetheless—no matter how hard it is to accept—we are not at the center of the Universe. Everything that happens to us is not necessarily for our benefit. I need to remind myself of this pretty much daily.
It is a helpful exercise, to review our lives from time to time from the perspective of how it is impacting others. We need to ask ourselves: “For whom am I where I am?” The results may surprise us. Personally, doing so regularly (and I would be better served to do this more frequently than to wait until I need to) helps reset my gratitude and contentment. In doing so, I better appreciate my circumstances—be it a horse or a pile of manure.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow!
Carpe momento!
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