GRATITUDE IS THE RIGHT ATTITUDE

GRATITUDE IS THE RIGHT ATTITUDE


In 1982, actor Kirk Douglas was asked to make a documentary highlighting the plight of the three million Afghanistan refugees who fled into neighboring Pakistan. That November, Douglas flew to Pakistan where he began meeting with refugees. Near the Khyber Pass he sat on the ground with the elders of an Afghan tribe as they shared a simple meal. Through an interpreter, Douglas told them: "In my country, today is Thanksgiving Day, one day every year that we set aside to give thanks for all that we have in life." After listening to Douglas, the leader of the elders, himself a refugee with an uncertain future, responded, "In my country, we give thanks every day."

That refugee's comment is insightful. The problem with having an "official" day of thanksgiving is that it compartmentalizes gratitude. The truth is that gratitude is the right attitude every day, all year long. In order to retain the spirit of Thanksgiving Day throughout the year, we need to express daily gratitude for the pleasures, courtesies and blessings which constantly come our way. Here are three simple suggestions for maintaining the attitude of gratitude each day:


1. Begin each day with a gratitude moment.

This is something which television entertainer Oprah Winfrey does. "The first thing I do when I wake up is pray, or meditate, for people who are more comfortable with that term. It's a time of solace in which I take a few moments to appreciate all I have," she says. Winfrey also pauses during the course of the day to offer gratitude. "Before I go down to tape the show, I do the same thing. I make a point of being alone so I can say thank you for this opportunity."


2. Express your appreciation.

Recently, Stephen, a resident of Seattle, was shopping at a large department store in the city. When the closing bell rang, the employees made quick exits, all except one. That retail clerk had been on his way out but when he saw Stephen, he placed his raincoat on a chair and helpfully answered questions about the item Stephen was interested in.

Impressed by that clerk's thoughtfulness, Stephen returned to the store the next day where he spoke with the store manager and expressed his thanks for the clerk's help. "Two weeks later I got a letter from the store clerk. He thanked me for going to the manager of the store and added: 'I have been promoted to the position of manager of my floor!'"


3. Always remember, it's never, ever too late to say "thank you."

Consider this woman who wrote advice columnist, Dear Abby, explaining: "I was one of those brides who didn't send thank-you notes for her wedding gifts. I didn't know very many members of my husband's family who had sent gifts, so I didn't know what to say."

Fifteen years later, the woman began writing notes to all who sent a wedding gift. If she didn't remember the specific gift, she simply thanked individuals for helping them when they were starting out as a couple. "I got more calls and letters! People were tickled that I had remembered them-even at that late date. It's never too late to say thank you," she concluded.


Finally, keep in mind that our English word thanks comes from the same Anglo-Saxon word for think. All we have to do is stop, think and then we will find many reasons to be thankful for the varied and diverse blessings which flow into our lives daily.