An Attitude of Gratitude

A thankful attitude isn't reserved for just one day in November when we celebrate Thanksgiving. I believe having an attitude of gratitude is something we need to have year round.

There are so many benefits of having an attitude of gratitude, here are a few:

• Healthier.
• Happier and more optimistic.
• Sleep better.
• Handle stress better.
• More contentment.

I remember when I began to develop this attitude of gratitude. We had just had our first child and my husband wanted me to quit working and be a stay-at-home mom.  He was working shift work and rotating days off so he felt with me home it would help us create a more peaceful home life. 

At first this was difficult for me because I am a very organized person and by 10 am the beds were made, dishes done, house cleaned up and I wondered what I would do all day.  The other issue was we had less income coming in and there were things I wanted to purchase.

I heard a teaching about differentiating between needs and wants.  So I started a list and wrote needs on the left and wants on the right.  I put this scripture on my need list - Philippians 4:19  "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." I put this scripture on my want list - Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart."

Needless to say my need list was very long and my want list was shorter because I thought I needed things that truthfully were only wants. I remember how I struggled with moving my first item from needs to wants. It was a set of four place mats and napkins for my table. I believe that moment an attitude of gratitude became a way of life for me.

I encourage everyone who reads this blog to take a moment and check your level of gratitude.  There is so much more to be thankful for than to complain about. I am determined to have a thankful heart!!