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When gratitude precedes gratification

Guest post by: Ian Berry

Article Overview: I meet a lot of people who are always focused on getting and having more. The many are focused on gratification. The few focus on gratitude. Are you one of the many or one of the few?

When gratitude precedes gratification

This weeks sparkenation.

I meet a lot of people who are always focused on getting and having more.

I meet a few people grateful for what they have. These folk realise “Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.” so said Rabbi Hyman Judah Schachtel in an excellent book The Real Enjoyment of Living.

Wanting what you have = gratitude

Having what you want = gratification

When I faced death’s door 35 years ago my doctors advice was for me to ‘have an attitude of gratitude’ (Sparkenation 20 in my changing what’s normal book.

The great paradox of having an attitude of gratitude is that when we are grateful for what we’ve got, we can have more of what we want.

The many are focused on gratification. The few focus on gratitude.

Are you one of the many or one of the few?

Be the difference you want to see in the world

Ian

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Article Tags: Sparkenation Gratitude Gratification



Related Forum Posts
Re: What is your EVE Ratio? - You are so right Mary. Today it is a case on instant gratification and it seems that this is the only way that the younger generation understand. I hope that they learn the lesson with what is happening in the financial world at the moment. MichelleJ
Re: What Businesses to Bail Out? - [quote="mbrand2222":2xvskdw9]I think someone needs to take responsibility for it. They had to KNOW that people with no down payments were USUALLY people who over-spent or just couldn't save. ( I actually took a mortgage with no down payment, but I used my savings to update the house and I never used more than 20% of my income as a monthly payment.) They had to see it coming and just had immediate monetary gratification in mind when they created these type of loans....or allowed them to be created. I don't know what the answer is, but I do know it's time to start pinching pennies even if it doesn't seem like it right now, because our personal financial status' could change as quickly as you can say, "Sorry, but I have to close the business today." I just say a lot of prayers and try to keep a good attitude. I should probably quit talking about it because it gets me down. I guess I just want people to realize what's happening, prepare for the worst and hope for the best.[/quote:2xvskdw9] If the people in charge knew anything at all (were qualified for the jobs they held), they had to know what was coming. That need for instant gratification is coming back to bite people in a really big way. Unfortunately, even the people who aren't over extended are going to pay. Its also amazing how many people got into loans without grasping the terms. Before I signed the loan documents on my house - I went through every page and asked a million questions. Too many ugly ways for loans to cause trouble if you don't understand the terms. Shri
Re: what brings tears to Your eyes ???? - Hi Barry Being able to make a difference in a life, whether it is a human life or an animals life I think gives one a wonderful feeling of gratitude. Gratitude of being in a position to help and that what you do is actually going to make a difference is definitely enough to bring tears to your eyes. MichelleJ
Re: What inspires you? - Hey Yinka, Great thread that you started. What inspires me to do what I do is knowing that in the long-run I'm creating a residual source of income that will support me and my future family financially. It also provides a sense of gratification to know that I'm doing something positive and rewarding, and at the same time, I get to help other people, which makes it all that more rewarding. I've never been a huge fan of working for someone else. I work best independently and on my own terms without someone telling me what to do and how to do it. I like having the freedom to work when I want, and not work when I don't feel like doing anything. As someone else stated, I would much rather have my work revolve around my life, than the other way around.
Re: What Businesses to Bail Out? - I think someone needs to take responsibility for it. They had to KNOW that people with no down payments were USUALLY people who over-spent or just couldn't save. ( I actually took a mortgage with no down payment, but I used my savings to update the house and I never used more than 20% of my income as a monthly payment.) They had to see it coming and just had immediate monetary gratification in mind when they created these type of loans....or allowed them to be created. I don't know what the answer is, but I do know it's time to start pinching pennies even if it doesn't seem like it right now, because our personal financial status' could change as quickly as you can say, "Sorry, but I have to close the business today." I just say a lot of prayers and try to keep a good attitude. I should probably quit talking about it because it gets me down. I guess I just want people to realize what's happening, prepare for the worst and hope for the best.


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