Getting gratitude

I have not been able to get Anna Kerr's comment that "we are desperate and depressed because our society encourages us to be dissatisfied" off my mind.

It was a reminder that we need to not only look up and ahead, but down and back, and that as we dare and dream, and then 'get', if we aren't grateful for 'what we get', we'll still be desperate and depressed.

With a nod and big thank you to Anna, here's a list of things (and their respective categories) that I am grateful for:

1) God's grace -- God's grace is something we don't deserve, but are given anyway, unfettered and unconditionally. For me, it is the fall foliage in New England. It is glorious to behold.

What providential gift, or gift of grace, are you grateful for?

2) Gift of another's self -- This is a gift that comes when people play to their strengths and give us something we very much need or want, but can't give to ourselves. Because it is generously given, it is systergy at its purest, but certainly not the exclusive domain of women, as my friend Aaron demonstrated this past week.

LaNola Kathleen Stone is a superb example of this 'gift of self'. Kathleen has taken our family's Christmas pictures since Miranda was a baby. Because she is willing to play to her specific strengths and intelligences, every year Kathleen sees magnificence in my children that I certainly couldn't, and dare I say, few photographers could, as seen below.

What gift of another's self are you grateful for?

3) What I'm good at -- This will likely be the hardest one to come up with as it requires us to do precisely what Anna Fels' research and the Bem Sex Role Inventory indicate that feminine women don't do -- pull attention toward ourselves. Even after months of 'soapboxing' about this, I would have readily deflected had my friends Brooke and Stacey not gently encouraged me to stiffen my spine. And so.... I'm grateful that I am good at coming up with an idea or vision for a project AND that I can then execute against my vision; take Know Your Neighbor, for instance.

What are you grateful to be good at? What are your strengths? Is there a way that your 'good at' can be given as a gift of your self?

4) Simple pleasures -- This is something that makes us happy. Period. Like listening to Earth, Wind and Fire's Can't Hide Love. I loved this song as a 16 year-old. And I still love it. Every time I hear that magnificent horn introduction on my iPod, I am happy. A simple pleasure.

What simple pleasure are you grateful for?

P.S. Just this morning there was a terrific article in the NY Times titled Let us give thanks. In writing., and includes a quote from Gretchen Rubin of The Happiness Project.

Comments

[Barbara]

I loved this post. Grateful. What a wonderful word.

The comment that society encourages us to be depressed and desperate because we are dissatisfied is just sad. Wouldn't it be lovely to hear our leader, much like President Clinton did during the early days of his term in office, tell us that everything was and is good. We can succeed and the American dream is alive. I have always felt that it was a self full filling prophecy. It worked in much the same way that President Bush's statement that people in America are poor and "hurting". Both were small seeds that were planted and grew to be true.

I really think that all we need is hope. Plant a seed, Whitney, if you can. I will do the same! Humans, being what they are, will make it come true.

b

[tracy ho]

It's inspiration to show us way a long , long way,
May every one success.
tracy ho
www.wisdomgettingloaded.com

[melanie]

great post! (and it's sweet to find another earth, wind & fire fan - my fave is 'september' but i'll be checking out yours). warmly, -melanie-

[Stacey]

I love the post and I am GRATEFUL for you and our friendship!
S

[tracy ho]

Love it is great, hope to read more of it,

Thank you

Tracy Ho
wisdomgettingloaded