Why we should be more grateful in life
One of my all time favourite books is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I could read this book over and over again and never get bored. For the those who haven’t read it, it tells the story of one Ebenezer Scrooge, a very mean businessman. It’s the Christmas season and everyone in town is happy. Scrooge wonders what the fuss is all about. He doesn’t see a reason for the festive season. He even rejects an invitation from his nephew Fred to celebrate Christmas.
One night, the ghost of his dead business partner Jacob Marley visits him.
Scrooge is terrified. (Allow me to quote the opening line of this awesome book)
“Marley was dead, to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it. And Scrooge’s name was good upon ‘Change for anything he chose to put his hand to. Old Marley was as dead as a door nail.”
Marley has been condemned to wander the earth bearing the weight of heavy chains as punishment for being as selfish in life. He has come to caution his friend about his mean ways. In the following three nights, various ghosts visit Scrooge and reveal to him the importance of being happy and being good to the less fortunate in the society. Here is one of the quotes from the book;
“Reflect upon your present blessings — of which every man has many — not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”
The book reminds me of gratitude. How often do you show gratitude? There are so many things you should be grateful for, but then you don’t give them the recognition they deserve. For instance your family. Family sticks with you when you’re at your worst. When the people you considered close friends vanish from sight never to be seen again. When you feel that the world has conspired to obliterate you.
How often do you show your appreciation? It doesn’t have to be a sophisticated issue. Send them a small thank you card. Or a little gift. Or call and tell them how much you are grateful that they are part of your life. You may even spend more time with them.
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A few days ago I had a severe headache. I believe it was caused by the hectic day I had had. It went on for two days. My head was literally burning. It was as if the evil spirit was shamelessly fanning the fire inside my head with little care of how I felt. I couldn’t even do anything.
Just lying in my bed like a traumatised kid wishing that it goes away. I had taken painkillers but they seemed to have zero effect. I even googled,”home remedies for headaches/migraines.” I ended up applying one of the remedies. Tying a headband around your head. I didn’t have a headband so I used one of my shirts (funny enough, that helped a bit!). Anyway, the headache eventually went away and I was back to being the normal me.
Do you ever think of people who are ill, or those who have to live with medical conditions for years? That’s more reason to be grateful. You are healthy and happy. You may have your flaws but then everyone else does. If you’re a religious person, thank God for everything. If you’re not, there are so many things you can do to show gratitude.
In her book Smile Anyway, Richelle E. Goodrich says,
“Be thankful for your allotment in an imperfect world. Though better circumstances can be imagined, far worse are nearer misses than you probably care to realize.”
If someone does a good deed to you, no matter how insignificant, make a point of saying, ‘thank you’. People will respect you for that. And you’ll be more content with life.
PS: This article was originally shared on my blog.(www.lennykimtai.wordpress.com)
