A man named Dale Carnegie once said, “Happiness doesn’t depend on outward conditions. It depends on inner conditions. It isn’t what we have or who we are, or what we are doing that makes us happy or unhappy. It’s what we think about it. For example, two people may be in the same place, doing the same thing, and yet one may be miserable and the other happy. Why? Because of a different mental attitude.”
Can we be happier if we’re grateful for what we have, instead of thinking about what we don’t have? How can we get that good attitude of gratitude?
When we wake up in the morning, we can choose to think thoughts of gratitude or ingratitude. If we have an attitude of gratitude, instead of thinking about the unpleasant things we have to do that day we’ll think of ways to be grateful. We’ll think thoughts like, “I’m glad I can get out of bed and walk. I’m grateful that I have food for breakfast, and that I can see this beautiful day. I’m glad I have a place to go today where people need me.”
Do thoughts like those help people be happy? Would other people enjoy being around us because of our good attitude?
The following is a poem about gratitude. It’s called “The World Is Mine.”
Today upon a bus, I saw a lovely maid with golden hair
I envied her – she seemed so gay – and I wished I were as fair
When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle
She had one foot and wore a crutch, but as she passed, a smile
Oh God, forgive me when I whine
I have two feet – the world is mine!
And then I stopped to buy some sweets
The lad who sold them was so kind
I talked with him – he said to me
“It’s nice to take with folks like you
You see,” he said, “I’m blind.”
Oh God, forgive me when I whine
I have two eyes – the world is mine!
Then walking down the street
I saw a child with eyes of blue
He stood and watched the others play
It seemed he knew not what to do
I stopped for a moment, then I said
“Why don’t you join the others, dear?”
He looked ahead without a word
And then I knew he could not hear
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine
I have two ears – the world is mine!
With feet to take me where I’d go
With eyes to see the sunset’s glow
With ears to hear what I would know
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine
I’m blessed indeed! The world is mine!
Let’s try to be more grateful each day for who we are and for all that we have. Happy Holidays, and may your days be filled with gratitude!