“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” Melody Beattie
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” -Oprah Winfrey
“Take full account of the excellencies which you possess, and in gratitude remember how you would hanker after them, if you had them not.” -Marcus Aurelius
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 that 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
Related articles
- The science of being thankful (mnn.com)
- Thankfulness quotes (christianpf.com)
- gratitude and thanks for what you have are the first steps in seeking what you have not ~ Reed (2rqod.wordpress.com)
- Healing Gratitude – It’s Easier than You Think (maribethdoerr.com)
wordsfromanneli says
Just in time for Thanksgiving. We do have a lot to be thankful for.
Kristin Barton Cuthriell says
Yes we do 🙂
Madhu says
Beautiful reminder Kristin. I never fail to count my blessings.
Kristin Barton Cuthriell says
Yes. We must count our blessings:) Enjoy your day!
Corinne Shields says
Hi Kristin
It must be telepathy. I have been thinking alot about gratitude lately, and guess what, I am going to start a gratitude journal. Why? Well it sort of makes sense doesn’t it? I’m a great one for authority figures, too much really, but when I read that scientific research showed that cultivating an attitude of gratitude for 10 weeks resulted in a 25 percent increase in happiness levels, it got me hooked. I’ll be back to let you know how I get on.
Corinne at soulsnet
Kristin Barton Cuthriell says
Yes- lots of research out there on the benefits of keeping a gratitude journal. Please keep me informed on how it goes.
Corinne Shields says
Hi Kristin
Just a quick PS
I just linked to one of your related articles, the one about the science behind happiness and watched the video. Not the same scientific research that I referred to, but hey ho, more grist to the mill.
Happy Thanksgiving by the way – We don’t have that in the UK. What a shame, a day for giving thanks, we could surely do with that at the moment.
Corinne
Kristin Barton Cuthriell says
Corinne- more grist to the mill. I like that. Gratitude is so very important. Have a wonderful day.
yessiesuniartie says
There is always …. always …. always something to be thankful for 😀
Kristin Barton Cuthriell says
Yes there is 🙂
brianwilliamsen says
Amen! This is perfect. Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Kristin Barton Cuthriell says
Happy Thanksgiving to you too Brian.
stuartart says
Never a truer word spoken. Nice one Kristin.
Kristin Barton Cuthriell says
Stuart- Thanks. Enjoy your day.
David Kanigan says
Wonderful. Happy Thanksgiving Kristin.
Kristin Barton Cuthriell says
Happy Thanksgiving, David.
Ann Tomlinson says
I will read this to our family as our Thanksgiving prayer.
Kristin Barton Cuthriell says
Looking forward to it. See you tomorrow.
Shannon says
Cheers. Well put! (Now, if I could just get my kids to “get” some of that gratitude, particularly my 10-yr-old…LOL) Okay, so in said gratitude fashion, I should be thankful for that gigantic pile of mulch on my driveway (that ain’t throwing itself) for keeping me fit, nurturing the trees that give me oxygen, and prettying up my flower beds for Christmas lights. Bring it!!
Happy Thanksgiving, Kristin. Enjoy your family!
Kristin Barton Cuthriell says
Shannon, You made me laugh! Gratitude for mulch; that’s the spirit. And no, it doesn’t throw itself into those beds. Enjoy your family and your thanksgiving.
Sloan says
Wonderful post, Kristin! Have an incredibly Happy Thanksgiving! S
Enchanted Seashells says
Happy Thanksgiving!
Author MelindaTripp says
I have been on bed rest since Thanksgiving….I just found this, and it will be my mantra till after my procedure in January….great poem, thanks gain for your wisdom, and Merry Christmas!
Kristin Barton Cuthriell says
Merry Christmas! My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Author MelindaTripp says
I’ve been managing pain and the Thankful poem was just what I needed!
Your work is a wonderful gift!
Merry Chistmas
Author MelindaTripp says
Thank you!
mera says
Heya, you familiar with write wonderful, but the last few posts are already kind of boring¡K I miss your super documents. Past numerous posts are only a small amount out of track! can occur
Kristin Barton Cuthriell says
What posts do you like? I am interested in knowing what you are interested in. Thank you for your comments.