I Blog Poetry and Prose

Gratitude is an Attitude

Jamál (Beauty), 15 Qudrat (Power) 175 B.E. - Sunday, November 18, 2018

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For those of you in the US, this week is our Thanksgiving holiday. Write your blog today as yourself in the future. What will you thank yourself for doing? Who and what else are you thankful for in your life?

Gratitude Is An Attitude

"Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity..."
Bahá’u’lláh1

"Gratitude is an attitude", I'm not sure who said that. I've heard and read this quote numerous times over the past several years. I've found that "Gratitude's Attitude" applies to every area of my life under all circumstances. Baha'u'llah encourages us to show and express gratitude under all conditions, which makes sense since gratitude is a spiritual attribute. Gratitude for what we have makes facing adversity, tests, and difficulties easier. It, also, helps us to see beyond the present situation or problem to find a solution. If we can't see a solution, gratitude helps us to put the problem in God's hands.

I attempt to make a gratitude list everyday in "Writing in Snow" . Sometimes I have difficulties finding five things to be grateful for everyday, and, when I do, I increase the number of items on my gratitude list the next day. I used to make a gratitude list once a week, on Thankful Thursday; however, I find it easier to find five things a day to be thankful for rather than ten things once a week.

What would I thankful for in myself in the future? At 71, I'm not worried about the future. At this point, I'm more interested in daily survival, paying bills, rent, and avoiding an overdraft in my checking account. Today my checking account isn't overdrawn; however, it will be after Monday or Tuesday. I can't contact either the Bank or Cox until Monday. There is nothing I can do about it today--this is my own fault--I will continue to pray instead of worry. Worry doesn't help find a solution; however, prayer does.

What will I be doing in the future? Practicing an attitude of gratitude, praying, writing, and surviving. I can find a solution. I have to refocus my mind on something besides the problem, because focusing on the problem only increase worry and distracts from finding a solution. What I would really like to do is move into a senior community; unfortunately, I can't afford the cost. I can barely afford where I'm living now. I will move to a smaller apartment because the new owner of the property I'm living at will raise the rent. The one bedroom I'm moving to isn't any cheaper. Since I've managed to make this entry into a partial rant, I'm going to list the things I'm grateful for before I finish.

Gratitude List

          I am thankful for the prayers revealed by Baha'u'llah.
          I am thankful for the prayers revealed by The Bab.
          I am thankful for the adversities, tests, and difficulties that have strengthened my faith and taught me about myself.
          I am thankful for the still small voice that whispers to me after I have said a prayer about a problem I am attempting to solve. The voices says "It's going to be alright!"
          I am thankful that I am learning to say "No".

Footnotes
1  Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, CXXX.