Gratitude: A Matter of Perspective...... 5/15/11

           Life is good. I've discovered over the years that joy has NOTHING to do with external details. I can have it regardless what job I have, car I drive, the size of my home or how much I have in the bank, who loves me or who doesn't. .  In spite of difficult circumstances, I can still bump into joy, along with serenity and tranquility. What liberty, tranquility and joy I experience when I'm freed from external referenting.  Yes, that's a word. I admit, a big portion of my happiness is due to my relationship with God, more about that, in a minute. 

         But, partaking in an Attitude of Gratitude involves perspective, too.  I partake of it when I  choose to stay in the present, versus dwelling upon the darker moment of my past or fearing----being anxious----about possible future difficulties.  The present is where we are---always!!


        I'm thankful for knowing God’s forgiveness, and grace.  I delight in knowing that I'm in a loved position with God. This close, loving relationship does NOT change----even when my thoughts or behavior is less than the standards God has set for me. Now, that is a mind-blowing concept. 

       One of my favorite posters says, 'Life is a test. It

       is only a test.Had this been a real life you would

       have been instructed where to go and what to do;
       Whenever I think of this humorous bit of  wisdom,
       it reminds me to not take my life so seriously.

      Richard Carlson, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, p85.

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My gratitudes for today:

1.  I had a run in today with someone who struggles with rage and raged upon me. I have compassion for this person. I'm also thankful that I didn't cause his rage. He had it way before I ever met him.  I'm glad that I've learned that I am to be responsive to, but not responsible for, the emotions of others.  I can't tell you how liberating it is to not be manipulated by the emotions of others.(For more about dealing with an emotional bully, click here. )

    Other people's emotions are their property and my emotions are mine. To feel responsible for another person's emotions is a serious crossing of boundaries, ours and theirs.(For more about this, please click here.)

2. I'm glad that I don't get as triggered by the negative emotions of others. I was able to take care of myself. A serene day was had.  Really. There's a proverb that says to stay away from an angry person or you'll learn his ways. That's what I did this morning. 

    I actually said to this agitated person, "I never gave you permission to condemn me and I'm asking you to stop judging me." I said this calmly, Next, I extricated myself from this person.

3. It's wonderful knowing I'm powerless over the history that other people bring with them, including the pain that is involved with it. I also know that I will not allow myself to be anyone's emotional punching bag. There's a saying I've shared elsewhere:

"If you feel like  doormat, you need to get up off the floor." 

        For me, that statement brings a smile and a chuckle, but it's still true. I love the fact, that a I learn to stand  by my personal principles, stand in my power and live by my integrity, I enjoy a freedom and joy that I never experienced as a young man. My friendships are richer and more harmonious because, we get what we tolerate and we train people how to treat us.

          Let me know what you think. Look at the following link if you want to know if you're dealing with an emotional bully. Click here. Although this link refers to a woman as the bully, the same holds true if it's a guy. 

                       The guy from the Left Coast,

Reassuring a Little Girl

   

       Dear denizens of the Attitude of Gratitude Inn,

This story was forwarded to me this weekend. On the off chance that you haven't read this story, which is attributed as true, I share it with you. I especially relate to it.  A cat dear to me is dying: Alexander the Gray. He's an intelligent, spiritual, silvery-tipped, Russian Blue. Alexander has been getting subcutaneous fluids for over two years, due to renal failure.His medications now make him wobbly. His gig is almost up.

       The other day, when I dropped by, he got between me and the laptop I was using while waiting for my friend, who lives at Alex's house.  His big eyes stared into mine, quietly---but persistently---they pled for affection. I'm a sucker when gently entreated. Together, he and I spent time; he received the unique back rub down his spine that I give, which he likes. I sure would like someone from the Dead Letter Department of the local post office to send me a comforting letter, when Alex goes to cat heaven. May the tale that follows warm some cockles within your bosom, thereby contributing to your attitude of gratitude today. 

       May this Lord's Day bless you and yours,  

      The Innkeeper

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     Our 14-year-old dog Abby died last month.  The day after she passed 

away my four-year-old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about 

how much she missed Abby.  She asked if we could write a letter to God 

so that when Abby got to heaven, God would recognize her.  I told her 

that I thought we could so, and she dictated these words:

 
     Dear God,

 
Will you please take care of my dog?  She died yesterday and is with you

in heaven.  I miss her very much. I'm happy that you let me have her as

my dog even though she got sick.  I hope you will play with her. She likes

to swim and play with balls.  I'm sending a picture of her so when you 

see her you will know that she is my dog.  I really miss her.

  

     We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abby and Meredith

and addressed it to God/Heaven.  We put our return address on it.  Then

Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she

said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. 

That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office.  A 

few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet.  I told her that 

I thought He had.

 
       Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front 

porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand.  Meredith opened it. 

Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.'  Taped to 

the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened

envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abby & Meredith 

and this note:

 
      Dear Meredith,

 
Abby arrived safely in heaven.  Having the picture was a big help; I
recognized her right away.  Abby isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here
with me just like it stays in your heart.  Abby loved being your dog.
Since I have a pretty good memory,  I'm sending Abby's picture

back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to 

remember Abby by.
 

      Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping 

you write it and sending it to me.  What a wonderful mother you have.

I picked her especially for you.  I send my blessings every day and 

remember that I love you very much.  By the way, I'm easy to find. 

I'm wherever there is love.

 
      With all my Love,
 
           God

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      Let me know what you think.