On Being Grateful for the Things We Take for Granted

"Can you see the holiness in those things you take for granted – a paved road or a washing machine? If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul." --Rabbi Harold Kushner

It's easy to notice what's wrong, especially with a continual improvement mindset. So many of us seek out the imperfect in our lives in an attempt to make things "perfect." We do it with our homes, our jobs, our spouses, our children, and ourselves.

"This is wrong. That's wrong. I hate myself. You drive me crazy! What is wrong with our world?!!"

And whenever "two or more are gathered" for a gripe session it can turn into something of a feeding frenzy, feeding our sense of being "right" about what's "wrong." Self-righteousness might feel good and empowering in the moment, but it has a way of destroying relationships, doesn't it?

So what if instead of focusing on what's wrong or right we chose to focus on what's good? What if we spent our days being grateful for all the good things we take for granted?

Which would you rather be: right or happy? Where is the good in your life right now?

"In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy." --Brother David Steindl-Rast