Tag Archives: #gratitude

Spirituality, Uncategorized

The Sadness of Forgiveness

Everyone has been hurt by others. That’s universal. And we have all hurt other people. That is universal, too. But what do we do with the pain?

Forgiveness requires a lot. We must get over our desire to hurt back. When we let go of our need for revenge we can move to the next step: Letting go of the past hurt. By letting go we aren’t giving the offender a “hall pass” for the offense. But we are releasing any potential power it may have over us. This is when the power of forgiveness accelerates.

There’s a sadness that can occur when we forgive. It’s almost like losing a friendship, even though it isn’t a good friendship. When the desire to let go overtakes the desire to hold on, we have arrived.

This takes time. It can’t be rushed or forced. Forced outcomes aren’t genuine. Forgiveness is growth, too. Forgiveness is for you, not the offender.

If you are holding on to a hurt from the past, it is my hope that you will move forward on the road to forgiveness. Keep healthy boundaries up so it doesn’t happen again. But don’t shut down completely. Isolation is as harmful as lack of forgiveness.

Everything begins with gratitude…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

The Price of Gratitude

For as long as I can remember, I have been a grateful man. This isn’t to suggest I haven’t been through some difficult times. There have been some, but I refused to give in to any anger or resentment. Those things will destroy you from within.

Actively practicing gratitude changes the biochemistry of your brain. You begin to see the world through a bigger, more beautiful lens. But this comes at a cost; a trade off, if you will.

You lose the mindset of lack, fear of missing out, and your mind shifts towards what you have. There’s a lot of good in your life and mine. For example, if you can read this, don’t take it for granted. A blind man would trade places with you in a heartbeat to be able to have his vision back.

Gratitude has a cost. But what you gain through gratitude is worth everything you will release from your mind…

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Spirituality

Oh Our Sinful Ways

Most people are good. You will never convince me otherwise. They show up when shit happens. They give of themselves through monetary donations along with their service to others.

At the same time, we are all sinners. We don’t like to think of ourselves this way. I mean, most of us aren’t out stealing cars or robbing 7-11’s. We do what’s right and true. Yet, in the presence of God we wouldn’t last.

Jesus reconciled man’s relationship with God. His death and resurrection made it possible for us, the sinful ones, to enter Heaven. He sacrificed himself for us in the greatest act of love ever. And what gets me is, Jesus would have done it if I was the only person on earth. Think about that.

Take a moment to thank our Creator for all the good in your life. He is the source of everything. And thank Him for His son while you are at it.

Stay in gratitude…

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Spirituality

Deposits

In your mind, I want you to picture a large vault. You might want to draw a picture of it. Label the vault as “Good.” Now comes the fun part.

Every time you do something for someone else that isn’t required of you, make a deposit in the vault. Perhaps it’s a random act of kindness or something as simple as a smile given to a homeless person. Make a deposit.

This is a metaphorical way of applying gratitude. It feed on itself. Over time you will find yourself wanting to do more. The act of doing good releases endorphins in your brain which gives you a feeling of elation. It’s a natural high.

Others will notice a change in you. Along with your new mindset, you grow from within. You will have more energy.

Keep quiet about what you are doing. The right people will notice. God sees everything. And He is our one true audience…

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Spirituality

The Power of Gratitude

Are you someone who looks for the good in life? Perhaps you have been described as a “glass half full” kind of person. That’s quite a compliment.

Everyone has challenges in their lives. Everyone struggles occasionally. But we can always find something good within the difficulty. Can you see? Is your mind still working? If you answered yes, you have all the tools necessary to bring you through the mess. Add some active faith to the mix and you will be unstoppable.

Actively practicing gratitude changes your brain in a good way. You focus on the good in your life and not on what you lack. Comparison is no longer part of the equation. Peace and contentment reign, not chaos and anxiety.

Take inventory. Write, physically write down all the good in your life. Keep the list with you and add to it when something comes to mind.

Try it for 30 days. Your outlook will change greatly. What do you have to lose other than a little chaos? And that’s a good thing to lose…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Winning

To win is to be victorious. And everyone loves a winner, right?

Yet, if you are reading this in a safe, comfortable environment, you have food to eat, you are healthy and you have people who care about you, you have won. So many people live in poverty, they may not know when they will eat their next meal and they might be alone.

Keep your perspective clear. What you already have is what some people are hoping and praying for…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Thanksgiving Week

On Thursday of this week, we celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States. It’s the one day of the year where people take time to reflect on what they are grateful for.

Gratitude should be actively practiced every day. If you woke up this morning and you are reading this, be grateful that God gave you another day to live. Life is routine and we take things for granted. Only when the unexpected occurs do we snap out of our comfort and live differently.

Look around. There are miracles everywhere. And then be grateful you noticed them…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Unforgivable

People struggle with forgiveness. They allow past hurts to fester and grow, almost taking a life of their own. But forgiveness is vital to the human spirit. Otherwise bitterness and resentment set in. Those will shorten your life, or at least they can prevent you from living fully.

If you are struggling with forgiveness, I encourage you to actively practice gratitude. You will begin to see things through a new lens. And you might find forgiveness in your heart…

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#inspiration

Lesser

Comparison chips away at self-esteem if you allow it to. We see ourselves as less than perfect if we compare ourselves to models in print or television. Wealth and position are favorite subjects for comparison. Do not fall into this trap.

In the eyes of God, we are all equally important. He loves us the same whether we are white, black, rich, poor or anything else. He even loves and provides for those who don’t believe in Him.

Remember this when you are feeling down or frustrated that you haven’t done better in life. You are still here, and God is still rooting for you, even when you aren’t…

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