Posted on 11/27/2014 10:20:02 AM PST by Kaslin
If Thomas Jefferson could be faulted for one thing in composing the Declaration of Independence, it might be his inclusion of the words "the pursuit of happiness" in the text.
Happiness is a vapor that cannot be grasped; a temporary feeling based on transitory circumstances akin to the euphoria of a full-on sugar rush. Happiness is good for a time, but it cannot last. Life invariably intervenes.
So many seem so unthankful about so much these days. Turn on the TV or read a newspaper and you will find complainers. Democrats complain about Republicans and the reverse. The poor complain about the rich and the rich complain that they are being taxed too much. Citizens complain about illegal immigrants. Whites complain about people of color and people of color complain right back.
This week in Ferguson, Missouri, we saw lots of people complaining about the police and alleged injustice while storeowners whose businesses were destroyed legitimately complained about the rioters.
There's an old Southern gospel song whose title other writers have used with different lyrics, but the one I like best is the one that encourages people to "have an attitude of gratitude."
At Thanksgiving, those of us who believe in God thank Him for His many blessings. These include food to eat, clothes to wear, a roof over our heads, good health for those fortunate enough to have it and good doctors for those who don't, a job for those who have one and the chance to find employment for those who don't (and unemployment insurance to bridge the gap between jobs).
We aren't grateful enough for what we have. Instead of complaining about what we don't have, try thanking someone for what you do have. Thank a soldier for your freedom, even the freedom to complain about your political leaders without fear of being arrested, as is the case in many countries. Find something good to say about another person and thank them for it. Thank your parents, if they are living, no matter how bad your upbringing may have been. They gave you the gift of life, what you make of it is up to you.
Oprah Winfrey sometimes comes up with something worth quoting. I found this gem through a Google search: "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."
Have you noticed in the past several years how public storage units have sprung up all over the country? Think about this: In our very large houses we don't have enough room to store all of the stuff we've accumulated, so we rent other places to put it. Advertisers say acquiring stuff will make us happy. Obviously not, or we would be happy most of the time because most of us have more stuff than our parents and certainly our grandparents ever had, or ever needed.
Previous generations may not have had a lot of material things, but they had something we appear to lack -- contentment. To be content is better than being happy. Contentment is akin to satisfaction. Maybe the reason Mick Jagger couldn't get any satisfaction was because he was looking for it in the wrong place.
Author A.J. Jacobs says, "I've started to look at life differently. When you're thanking God for every little joy -- every meal, every time you wake up, every time you take a sip of water -- you can't help but be more thankful for life itself, for the unlikely and miraculous fact that you exist at all."
Mr. Jacobs has an attitude of gratitude. Try it and see what difference it makes in you and in others. If you do, you might have a happy -- strike that -- a contented Thanksgiving.
Excellent point
Bully in the playground Where am I gonna play
Found another playground Half a block away
Made a little song up Called a little rhyme
An Attitude of Gratitude will do it everytime
Chorus
An Attitude of Gratitude When stuff has got you down
Can get sastisfiatude and Turn yourself around
An Attitude of Gratitude Hooray for what’s o.k.
Say thank you with infactatude it’s a brand new day
Now daddy’s in the doghouse Mama’s up a tree
But I’ve got a bouefta looking after me
Made myself a sandwich A little P & J
An Attitude of Gratitude can chase the clouds away
Chorus
An Attitude of Gratitude that’s what it’s all about
That No-hope-to-be-had-atude is sure to wear you out
An Attitude of Gratitude Hooray for what’s o.k.
Say thank you with a infactatude it’s a brand new day
Everything’s a dollar a dollar twenty-five
Haven’t got a dollar but i’m glad to be alive
I stole a look at Janey she stole a look at me
An Attitude of Gratitude is absolutely free
They say this is the showdown They say it’s us or them
They just can’t see that us and we are relatives and friends
I made a little song up put it on the charts
Says come on people everybody open up your heart
Chorus
An Attitude of Gratitude when pushes come to shove
Eliminates combatatude and changes fear to love
An Attitude of Gratitude Hooray for what’s o.k.
Say thank you with a infactatude it’s a brand new day
You need an attitude of gratitude
To put your worries out if sight
'Cause with an attitude of gratitude
Pretty soon you'll see the light
When you say 'Thank You, Lord'
For every little thing
Say 'Thank You, Lord'
And your heart will start to sing
Just have an attitude of gratitude
Every thing will turn out right
Just have an attitude of gratitude
Hey! Hey! The future's lookin' bright
'Cause with an attitude of gratitude
Pretty soon you'll see the light
When you say 'Thank You, Lord'
For whatever comes your way
Say 'Thank You, Lord'
Each and every day
You'll have an attitude of gratitude
And every thing will turn out right
"Attitude of Gratitude"
I’ve got an attitude of gratitude,
A heart that’s full and thankful
For the good, the bad,
The happy or sad.
Dear Lord, help me be grateful.
When I’m standing in the middle of misery,
Help me stop and count my blessings.
In our history you’ve been good to me.
Lord, help me always keep confessing…
If I win or lose it’s up to You.
Alone, You hold my future.
If I stand or fall, Lord, through it all,
Life’s a marvel of adventure.
I’m not grateful for it,
I am grateful through it,
And being grateful in it,
Changes the way I look at it.
CHORUS
I've got an attitude of gratitude
Lifts me up when I?m feeling down
And with this attitude of gratitude
My little light can shine all around
I've got an attitude of gratitude
Lifts me up when I'm feeling down
And with this attitude of gratitude
My little light can shine all around
VERSE 1
Thankful for my family, all their love surrounds me
Thanks for people in my life
Grateful for the gifts God has given me
Leading me with His guiding light
When I'm feeling sad and things are looking bad
Maybe things aren?t going my way
If I try to real hard and turn my heart around
Gratitude makes it easy to say
CHORUS
VERSE 2
Everybody knows that life can be a challenge
Hard times can get you down
When I change my heart, give thanks for all I have
My attitude can turn my life around
Gratitude can really change the way I'm feeling
Make a bad day seem all right
When I'm thankful for the gifts that I?ve been given
Gratitude can make my future bright
CHORUS
CODA
My little light can shine all around
My little light can shine all around
How about no.
BTTT
How about yes.
Too many people in this world have a chip on their shoulder.
We are here only a short time and life’s what we make of it.
As God tells us, whether it turns out lemons or lemonade is our attitude.
Being grateful is truly being content and yes God, you made me content with the blessings You have bestowed upon me!
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Every day, every day, every day, every way,
Gonna let my little light shine.
Light that shines is the light of love,
Hides the darkness from above,
Shines on me and it shines on you,
Shows you what the power of love can do.
Shine my light both bright and clear,
Shine my light both far and near,
In every dark corner that I find,
Let my little light shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Monday gave me the gift of love,
Tuesday peace came from above,
Wednesday told me to have more faith,
Thursday gave me a little more grace,
Friday told me to watch and pray,
Saturday told me just what to say,
Sunday gave me the power divine,
Just to let my little light shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Shine, shine, shine, shine, shine.
No. Our ability to “make our life” is limited by boundaries God sets.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.