One evening last week, it was bitterly cold outside and I began to notice my house heating was turning on pretty often. I began envisioning a gas pump with the dollars chalking up quickly, and worried that I would have a large natural gas bill for the month.
Then all of a sudden I realized that I should be thankful for my situation, instead of frustrated by it. I should be grateful that my furnace works nicely and keeps me and the dogs warm, and that I can afford the gas bill.
Unfortunately, it’s not in my nature to maintain an attitude of gratitude for any real length of time. I dislike this about myself. Am I typical in this regard? Is this a result of growing up in the “me generation?” Or, is it the case that people who are pretty well off tend to take their situation for granted? Or, does it mean that I am not “religious enough,” because only deeply religious people regularly show gratitude?
I think the answer to these last two questions is “no,” and I draw on the example of Warren Buffett to say that. Mr. Buffett is one of the most wealthy persons on the planet, yet he is well-known for his humbleness and I have heard him quoted time after time as saying that he could easily have grown up as a poor person in a desolate part of the world. And, interestingly, as far as I know, he is still an agnostic.
Can we learn anything from Mr. Buffett regarding gratitude? I am trying to, in that I am trying to internalize his point that I could easily have been born into a life of discomfort and poverty. Any of us could have been. That is really something to think about.
I am not saying, by the way, that one’s religion cannot shape one’s overall attitudes. Of course it can. But, irrespective of our religious beliefs, or unbelief, we can take the time to realize that we are fortunate. If you are able to read this web page, and you are, then you are better off than the majority of the people in this world.
Am I too old to change? Maybe, but I don’t think so. I have never viewed age as a serious limitation, although I am practical enough to know it has some impact. But, I am trying to get out of my habit of waking up each morning with my first thoughts being “do I have any appointments today, and what do I need to do today?” I am trying to get into a habit of waking just thinking about how good it is to be alive.
Well, that is some of my “thinking out loud” about gratitude. I would like to hear from you on how you maintain a grateful attitude, so I can learn from you (and so other readers can).
