12 Reasons to Be Grateful Anyway

Last updated on: August 16, 2016 at 7:00 am by Ellen Debenport

12 Reasons to Be Grateful Anyway 2016-08-16T00:47:08-05:00 Ellen Debenport

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

man jumping on beach

photo by Kreg Steppe on flickr

So many of us are discouraged about the state of the world.

When I think of my parents going through the Depression and World War II, I wonder whether those of us lamenting the affairs of today are being a little self-indulgent and self-pitying.

But regardless of whether things really are as bad as we fear now, or whether they’re worse or better than in the past, our feelings are valid because they are our feelings.

I’ve been trying to offer you antidotes to despair.

I’ve written a couple of times about lessons from Donald Trump (here and here), about Hillary Clinton’s spiritual life, about possible ways to view suffering and evil, and about how to stay spiritual when the world falls apart.

But the best all-purpose practice I know – the Swiss Army knife of spiritual tools – is gratitude.

It works for everything. Try being grateful and see whether the world looks brighter.

Important note: You don’t have to be grateful for the same things you’re worried about.

You don’t have to find something good in the particular candidate you think will destroy the country, or in the latest shooting, or in a loved one’s surgery, although it might help if you could.

You can be grateful for something else instead, then bring your lighter attitude to the bleaker topics.

Read on for 12 reasons to be grateful, no matter what . . .

Previous Post

August 11, 2016

He Said What?! 3 Life Lessons from Donald Trump

Next Post

August 23, 2016 Politicians Don't Talk Like This Anymore

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Bible coping with life create your reality current events death divine within nature of God soul purpose spiritual laws Uncategorized

Select a Month January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who interpreted Pharaoh's dreams in Egypt?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Aaron David Moses Joseph