Grateful for what we do have

mariam_11_09
mariam_11_09 Member Posts: 691
in Spirituality, Prayer, and Meditation #1
I heard somewhere that having a positive attitude is about being grateful for we do have rather than focusing on what we don't have .....

Honestly I feel grateful for the basic things I have such as
a roof over our heads
food whenever we are hungry
a job
health insurance
a good education

we have family in one of the 5th poorest countries in the world and they often don't have any one of the above. Then I met the father of a friend of my daughters and found out recently the family was almost evicted because they couldn't pay the rent for the trailer they live in. He struggles to feed his family and this is the United States.

Of course there is much more for me to be grateful for however I would love to hear what your thoughts and feelings are. How can we remain grateful despite some of the things we encounter, like cancer?

Comments

  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    #2
    Having cancer
    for me, is like a reality check that life can be short. It did make me aware of the many blessings I had taken for granted like just waking up in the morning. There a new days and a fresh start. All the things you mentioned and then some are things to be grateful for. With a disease lurking in the back of my mind, I, personally have wanted to right my wrongs, forgive, tell those around me how much I love and appreciate them. I mean why wait to do that anyway? But sometimes, we take it for granted that they know or that you have time to change for the better.

    Some people are taken so quickly from life that I think had they known they would leave so abruptly, most would have wanted that opportunity to forgive, to say "I love you" or to express their feelings. And although anyone can leave this world from one minute to the next, cancer has given me a heightened awareness of time on this earth. And I see that as a huge blessing.

    There was a music video (you can google it on YouTube) called "If today was your last day" by Nickelback, check it out.

    Great post.

    Sylvia
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #3
    Hi mariam

    You are so right we have so much to be grateful for and don’t know it. When you think of it over 50% of the world’s population don’t have enough food to eat and Shelter above there heads to keep them dry in the rain.

    I am grateful just for life and for every extra day I live because I should have been dead by now. Also for my Family and Friends who were there when I needed them the most and are still there helping me everyday as I can’t do many of the things I once could do.

    Hondo
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #4
    I am grateful for what I've
    I am grateful for what I've received. Maybe not the cancer but that is part of life. Right now I can say, "Yes," to your list but may have to say no to a couple in a few months. You know my motto-go with the flow. We have a house in another state that we couldn't sell but continue to pay for. If something happens to the job we plan on moving back into it and retiring. Sooner than we thought but life is too short. It's not my first choice but feel blessed that we even have that option. And things are developing so it looks like that is the correct path to take. It's an adventure after all.
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #5
    Hi Mariam
    It's a great(ful) question...
    I too am grateful for having a roof over our heads. I'm not working but I'm grateful I was able to get disability. That is keeping us in the house. I'm grateful that my kids are healthy in mind, body, and spirit. I'm grateful for my parents for raising me as they did. I'm grateful for all of my family. I'm grateful that I was able to go to SK and get the cancer care that I've received, it's saved my life (IMO).
    I'm grateful that I live in the United States. That's not to knock anywhere else but we have more freedom than many other countries have. I'm grateful that I know how to play an instrument.
    I'm grateful that I have many very good friends...
    -phil
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #6
    Marcia527 said:

    I am grateful for what I've
    I am grateful for what I've received. Maybe not the cancer but that is part of life. Right now I can say, "Yes," to your list but may have to say no to a couple in a few months. You know my motto-go with the flow. We have a house in another state that we couldn't sell but continue to pay for. If something happens to the job we plan on moving back into it and retiring. Sooner than we thought but life is too short. It's not my first choice but feel blessed that we even have that option. And things are developing so it looks like that is the correct path to take. It's an adventure after all.

    on Dec 21
    This will be out of date when you update your profile pic, but once again, I am enamored of your art, this time, a representation of the Christmas spirit :).

    Take care, my friend, one of the folks I am grateful to have met through cancer.

    Joe
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #7
    PhillieG said:

    Hi Mariam
    It's a great(ful) question...
    I too am grateful for having a roof over our heads. I'm not working but I'm grateful I was able to get disability. That is keeping us in the house. I'm grateful that my kids are healthy in mind, body, and spirit. I'm grateful for my parents for raising me as they did. I'm grateful for all of my family. I'm grateful that I was able to go to SK and get the cancer care that I've received, it's saved my life (IMO).
    I'm grateful that I live in the United States. That's not to knock anywhere else but we have more freedom than many other countries have. I'm grateful that I know how to play an instrument.
    I'm grateful that I have many very good friends...
    -phil

    friends
    And you have, I believe, a lot more friends because of cancer, even if we (and I include myself) are virtual friends.

    Happy holidays, my friend,

    Joe
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #8
    soccerfreaks said:

    friends
    And you have, I believe, a lot more friends because of cancer, even if we (and I include myself) are virtual friends.

    Happy holidays, my friend,

    Joe

    I Can't Forget My "Imaginary Friends"...
    They're real people, I just imagine that they're my friends
    ;-)

    That is very true Joe, I've met and became friends with many people that I probably would not have met if it had not been for cancer. Then there are the many virtual friends on here and on FB.
    "Why I have friends I haven't even used yet!"
    (as the joke goes)
    -phil
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #9
    soccerfreaks said:

    on Dec 21
    This will be out of date when you update your profile pic, but once again, I am enamored of your art, this time, a representation of the Christmas spirit :).

    Take care, my friend, one of the folks I am grateful to have met through cancer.

    Joe

    Thanks Joe
    But the colored parts are just stickers. I used this avatar last Christmas also. I'm really just good enough to be tolerable. And with one eyebrow raised.

    I get tired of cancer talk sometimes but can't leave my friends here. So I read more than I post just to see how everyone is.

    Friends,
    marcia

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