Reflections

I’m sure you’ve encountered the expression, ‘the grass is always greener on the other side’. In today’s article, I will briefly discuss the sentiment behind this expression with reference to the subject of gratitude.

It seems to be part of the human condition that we so often long for our circumstances to be different. This is why we are continually looking for new clothes, new homes, new experiences.

The funny thing is, we rarely ever find contentment in our changed circumstances when they do change; we immediately begin craving ‘otherness’ again.

It’s interesting that while one person may feel enormous gratitude if they have fresh water to drink, another will not feel content with a three course meal.

I think it’s wise to be thankful to God for the blessings of each day, whatever they are. The chances are that the things you take for granted would be considered luxury by someone in a different part of the world.

Have you had enough to eat today? What a huge blessing! Do you have clean clothes to wear? Another huge blessing! How about shelter, a shower, a toilet? You are abundantly blessed.

What inspired this article is my current spell in psychiatric hospital. It’s easy to look on the downside. But when I reflect on the abundance in my life, even in these circumstances, I realise there is so much to be thankful for.

The simple process of stopping to think about how blessed you are and offering up a prayer of thanks will do wonders to counteract circumstance envy, instead settling you into quiet enjoyment of the present moment. The God who individually crafts every raindrop for us is waiting for your prayer.