I write down my current gratitudes most days shortly after I get up. I'm retired now and have time to reflect. I too wish I'd learned this self-acceptance and feelings of joy in the daily little miracles. I was never terribly materialistic but based my self-concept on people pleasing. Ill be happy and take time for myself once I take care of everybody else's issues. Duh! 😮
I once was really into Woodworking / Cabinetmaking/Furniture Design. I would go into these stores like Post Tool and just drool over all these table saws, sliding compound miter saws, etc, hoping that ONE day, I would be in a position to buy one of them. This went on for what seemed like YEARS, and then ONE day, I inherited all this money, and probably had enough money to buy out the entire inventory, let alone one or two tools. Needless to say, I was able to get ANY of those tools that I wanted. Some 3-5 thousand dollars later, I was FINALLY able to get all the tools I "needed"; and the really good ones at that. Then I had this totally cool brand new truck that I had paid cash for, and literally everywhere I went, people just gushed with envy over my truck and would compliment me incessantly about what a killer truck I had! Then ONE day a few years later, I was really depressed and I started to ask myself, "You have ALL this STUFF! Nearly EVERYTHING you ever wanted! Why are you NOT happy???!!! You should be ASHAMED of yourself!!! Etc Etc Etc. Then ONE day I realized that in reality none of that stuff was ever my "secret to happiness", like I might have imagined. To make matters worse, all my years of not taking care of myself, despite having Diabetes, meant that I lost my sight to the point where I could no longer safely use any of those great tools I had, and had to sell them. And then my beloved truck finally was laid to rest as well. I consider those 2 events as a sign from God that he wanted me to learn a lesson of gratitude, so that I would know that there are MANY other things more important in life, than 'stuff'! I write this story as I'm 63, and live in a TINY room with hardly any remaining possessions to my name, and I'm happier now than I ever was with all that stuff! Now I want to shed even more of my possessions, including at least half the clothes I own. Actually God had given me a great example of gratitude in the form of my Grandmother who lived to be 100 years old. She had lived in a TINY apt, possibly even smaller than my room, for a full 37 years, and was, by far, the happiest person I've ever known! She was CONSTANTLY trying to give away what little possessions she owed, and she NEVER complained about ANYTHING, or ANYONE! And because of it, she was universally adored and loved! She had been right in front of my face, as a shining example of gratitude! I was just too young and dumb to be paying attention! I'm not anymore! It's NEVER too late to realize that ALL you need is LESS!"
I love this story! So much wisdom in your words. This explains why people with less are so much happier! There is a cost to owning all of those possessions! Time, money, the case of more. You are right, God humbles us so that we cannot only feel gratitude but LIVE it! I saw myself so much in you sharing this, thank you!
I write down my current gratitudes most days shortly after I get up. I'm retired now and have time to reflect. I too wish I'd learned this self-acceptance and feelings of joy in the daily little miracles. I was never terribly materialistic but based my self-concept on people pleasing. Ill be happy and take time for myself once I take care of everybody else's issues. Duh! 😮
Wow so needed to hear this. It’s like I know this but struggle to constantly stay in this simple mindset.
Absolutely!! We need each other so that we can keep the main thing the main thing! ❤ Even if it takes multiple reminders.
Yes! Happiness needs to come from within 😌
Despite what the world tries to tell us 😉
I once was really into Woodworking / Cabinetmaking/Furniture Design. I would go into these stores like Post Tool and just drool over all these table saws, sliding compound miter saws, etc, hoping that ONE day, I would be in a position to buy one of them.
This went on for what seemed like YEARS, and then ONE day, I inherited all this money, and probably had enough money to buy out the entire inventory, let alone one or two tools.
Needless to say, I was able to get ANY of those tools that I wanted. Some 3-5 thousand dollars later, I was FINALLY able to get all the tools I "needed"; and the really good ones at that.
Then I had this totally cool brand new truck that I had paid cash for, and literally everywhere I went, people just gushed with envy over my truck and would compliment me incessantly about what a killer truck I had!
Then ONE day a few years later, I was really depressed and I started to ask myself, "You have ALL this STUFF! Nearly EVERYTHING you ever wanted! Why are you NOT happy???!!! You should be ASHAMED of yourself!!! Etc Etc Etc. Then ONE day I realized that in reality none of that stuff was ever my "secret to happiness", like I might have imagined.
To make matters worse, all my years of not taking care of myself, despite having Diabetes, meant that I lost my sight to the point where I could no longer safely use any of those great tools I had, and had to sell them. And then my beloved truck finally was laid to rest as well. I consider those 2 events as a sign from God that he wanted me to learn a lesson of gratitude, so that I would know that there are MANY other things more important in life, than 'stuff'!
I write this story as I'm 63, and live in a TINY room with hardly any remaining possessions to my name, and I'm happier now than I ever was with all that stuff! Now I want to shed even more of my possessions, including at least half the clothes I own.
Actually God had given me a great example of gratitude in the form of my Grandmother who lived to be 100 years old.
She had lived in a TINY apt, possibly even smaller than my room, for a full 37 years, and was, by far, the happiest person I've ever known! She was CONSTANTLY trying to give away what little possessions she owed, and she NEVER complained about ANYTHING, or ANYONE! And because of it, she was universally adored and loved!
She had been right in front of my face, as a shining example of gratitude! I was just too young and dumb to be paying attention! I'm not anymore! It's NEVER too late to realize that ALL you need is LESS!"
I love this story! So much wisdom in your words. This explains why people with less are so much happier! There is a cost to owning all of those possessions! Time, money, the case of more. You are right, God humbles us so that we cannot only feel gratitude but LIVE it! I saw myself so much in you sharing this, thank you!
💖John3:16💖
Yes 💯 😊
❤
I really appreciate your content.
Thank you!
@called.with.purpose you are most welcome.