Gratitude and Fortune Cookies
I love to save my fortunes from my fortune cookies until they come true. It's amazing how often they really do come true - that's probably by design. But I've noticed there's two types of fortune cookies: ones that tell you your future (you will inherit a fortune from a distant relative) and ones that tell you the way it is, to philosophize (You are an exceptional listener).
Generally, I love getting the fortune type and feel ripped off by the philosophy ones. I want to know that the love of my life is looking for me and will find me soon. I want to know that I'll be fabulously wealthy. But I recently got one that so spoke to my personal philosophy that I plan to frame it.
Treasure what you have.
Why is it so easy to keep thinking that we need more more more? I think our culture is built around it, and it's surprisingly refreshing to step off that fast moving train and just appreciate what you have. Even your burdens are yours and are often the devil that you know.
I know a young father who's wife was killed in a car accident, so he's raising his son alone. I know two holocaust survivors who lost their entire families in the war. I know a woman so poisoned by her environment that she had to get rid of everything she and her family owns - house, car, clothes, everything, and start over. I know 3 women who are battling breast cancer - one will die within the year, one has had it before and one is raising 3 small children. I know 2 women who work so hard for...whoever...that they see their children maybe an hour or two a day. I know more middle aged single people (sorry - you all still look great ;), but let's face it - we're middle aged) who despair they'll be alone forever. Chances are if you are reading this, you're one of those people and you are saying to yourself, "...at least I don't have his/her problems". Or maybe you don't recognize yourself as one of those people and you are thinking "Hey, Callie knows I have to have a root canal next week - I'm suffering too!!"
My point is that suffering is relative and inevitable, and each person will have it ebb and flow into their lives. And yet everyone, even in their suffering, has things to be grateful for, and those are the things to cling to when times are hard - they WILL get you through. And when you're through your hard stuff - and you will get through your hard stuff, believe me - the things you have to be grateful for will still be there waiting for you. Don't forget to appreciate them when you're in a better place. Your family and friends, your pets, maybe your home, the place you live, your country, maybe a love of reading or music, your good memories, the experiences of your life - these are the things in life that are real. Don't forget as you pine after that big screen TV how lucky you are to have a home to plug it in. As you wish you could dress your kiddos in the hottest new kiddo clothes, don't forget it's the kiddo that counts.
Its the act of appreciation - that knowing that you've got some of the good stuff - that will make you rich.
Generally, I love getting the fortune type and feel ripped off by the philosophy ones. I want to know that the love of my life is looking for me and will find me soon. I want to know that I'll be fabulously wealthy. But I recently got one that so spoke to my personal philosophy that I plan to frame it.
Why is it so easy to keep thinking that we need more more more? I think our culture is built around it, and it's surprisingly refreshing to step off that fast moving train and just appreciate what you have. Even your burdens are yours and are often the devil that you know.
I know a young father who's wife was killed in a car accident, so he's raising his son alone. I know two holocaust survivors who lost their entire families in the war. I know a woman so poisoned by her environment that she had to get rid of everything she and her family owns - house, car, clothes, everything, and start over. I know 3 women who are battling breast cancer - one will die within the year, one has had it before and one is raising 3 small children. I know 2 women who work so hard for...whoever...that they see their children maybe an hour or two a day. I know more middle aged single people (sorry - you all still look great ;), but let's face it - we're middle aged) who despair they'll be alone forever. Chances are if you are reading this, you're one of those people and you are saying to yourself, "...at least I don't have his/her problems". Or maybe you don't recognize yourself as one of those people and you are thinking "Hey, Callie knows I have to have a root canal next week - I'm suffering too!!"
My point is that suffering is relative and inevitable, and each person will have it ebb and flow into their lives. And yet everyone, even in their suffering, has things to be grateful for, and those are the things to cling to when times are hard - they WILL get you through. And when you're through your hard stuff - and you will get through your hard stuff, believe me - the things you have to be grateful for will still be there waiting for you. Don't forget to appreciate them when you're in a better place. Your family and friends, your pets, maybe your home, the place you live, your country, maybe a love of reading or music, your good memories, the experiences of your life - these are the things in life that are real. Don't forget as you pine after that big screen TV how lucky you are to have a home to plug it in. As you wish you could dress your kiddos in the hottest new kiddo clothes, don't forget it's the kiddo that counts.
Its the act of appreciation - that knowing that you've got some of the good stuff - that will make you rich.
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