Grateful living

In these days of stress and strife, there are many things that people disagree on, but there is one thing we all agree on, and that is we all want to be happy. Even the grumpiest of people long to feel happiness. It’s something you can’t chase but I believe there is a sort of formula.

Some may believe that when people are happy that they are automatically grateful, but that isn’t necessarily so. We all know people who have everything that we would think it would take to be happy, and they are not happy because they want something else, or they just simply want more. And we all know people who have had lots of bad luck or hardships that we observe from a distance and wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Yet, these people have found a way to radiate happiness. I believe the reason for their happiness is that they are grateful. It’s gratitude that makes us happy. A side product of gratitude is that it requires that we are present in our own lives. In order to live a grateful life, we have to realize what is going on in our inner and outer circles and within ourselves.

The recipe for gratitude is simple. It’s a combination of two things that have to happen. These two things call it to us. First, we receive something that is valuable to us. A gift of something valuable could be time, improved health, anything we value. Second, the gift has to land in our laps. We didn’t purchase it. It just happened. We didn’t earn it. When this combination of events happens, it’s then that we freely and suddenly feel gratitude well up in our chest and happiness suddenly washes over our entire being. That’s how gratitude naturally occurs. Have you ever dreaded something, perhaps a medical test, and when it’s over and the results are positive you feel happiness begin to radiate from your core? That’s gratitude working its magic. You were given something of value to you (good health) and it landed as a blessing. It just happened. The secret is how do we hang on to this gratitude?

You know it’s truly a miracle that you and I even exist. It took generations of pairs of ancestors to align and come together in order for any one of us to be created. We didn’t earn this life. It was given to us. It is a gift. I’m not sure some people realize that. After all, we have no way of being assured that we will have another moment given to us. And that in itself is a gift. The fact is we don’t know what tomorrow holds or the next minute. If we didn’t have this present moment, we wouldn’t have any opportunity to do anything or experience anything, and this moment is a gift.

Have you ever received a gift that you unwrapped only to have another wrapped gift? That’s what I liken the gift of life to be. It’s opportunities. And each opportunity is a gift. Each precious moment is an opportunity to do or experience anything we wish, and each day brings new opportunities. Opportunities to be our best selves, to help others, to enjoy sunsets and sunrises, opportunities to spend time with our loved ones and friends. There is much to be grateful for in this life. I’m reminded of a line in the Mary Oliver poem, “The Summer Day” that says, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

The Bible says, “You do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14).

How can we spend one moment begrudging not having more money, material things, etc., when we are blessed to have life and opportunities? Living a grateful life doesn’t mean that you look at life through rose-colored glasses because gratitude doesn’t change our situations or our scenery. Oh no, it just washes clean our spectacles so we can see all the colors as it changes our perspective.

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Pam Lowe is editor of the Clay County Courier in Corning. Her email address is pamlowe@claycountycourier. com.