Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Gratitude--an attitude



My mother taught us life is “10 % what you make it and 90% how you take it”.  As an American farm wife, she understood that many things were beyond her control.  Mom and Dad could plant the garden and tend to the cattle and chickens, but they could not guarantee a good harvest and healthy animals.  My parents used their knowledge and hard work to their best advantage.  After that, they relied on God and Mother Nature to bless their efforts.  I remember during some tough financial times, Mom quoted scriptures such as “I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread.” Psalms 37:25. The Holy Bible, King James’ Version,  Mom lived her life in gratitude. 
   
Dr Emmons says in his book, Thanks that “gratitude is an approach

to life that can be freely chosen for oneself.  It does not depend 

upon objective life circumstances such as health, wealth, or 

beauty.”  We choose to be thankful (grateful) for the good things we receive.  Emmons, Robert A., Thanks!  How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier, (Boston:  Houghton Mifflin Co, 2007), 17.

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