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Gratefulness Changes Everything

Gratefulness Changes Everything

Last updated on: September 14, 2022 at 5:16 pm by Dorian Scott Cole

Gratefulness Changes Everything 2022-09-14T17:16:30-06:00 Dorian Scott Cole

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.

If we can just get out of our funk and fear, we can be happy. Funk means feeling sad in slang. Fear is a natural state for those who focus on what they don’t have and what bad things might happen. We are what we think, so if we dwell on sadness, negativity, and fear, that’s what we are, and it can become permanent.

An attitude of gratitude is transforming. It refocuses our attention and attitude on the positive, and makes actual changes in our brain.

Gratitude by John Hain image on Pixabay

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The Ungrateful Dead

In my fiction novel, Liars Truth, I use a metaphor of vampires and demons to represent those that pile up on people and suck the life out of them, dragging them down to the depths of despair and hopelessness. They turn their victims’ focus to everything negative such as all their failures and fears. We can live and die in this state, ungrateful to the end.

It’s a highly effect strategy for trapping and controlling people. Politicians and others who want to control people use this strategy.

Escaping isn’t easy

We’re often surrounded by people in the same negative state who want to keep us with them – misery loves company. We need to learn how to locate and eliminate the vampires and demons in our life who live by sucking the life out of us.

There are a lot of toxic types of people

Some simply want to use us for what we can give. Usually they’re ulterior is to get our money or resources, or they want us to work on their behalf. They may schmooze or compliment us or simply keep us misinformed to support their cause.

Some are overly needy and they couldn’t possibly survive without your dedicated help. Yet they do survive if people stop helping them, and it’s better for them.

Some are full of drama and keep you endlessly involved in it. Their drama will continue with or without you. You don’t have to let it keep you trapped and at the bottom.

Some are simply as full of negative thoughts and conspiracy theories as a blimp. They think everyone is out to misuse you. Without them in your life, your life goes on pleasantly.

15 Types of Toxic Friends Who Make You Miserable and Drag You Down.

In contrast, there are many people who will help you and bring you up out of your funk.

While some paint a very negative picture of others, the reality is that God is in all of us, and most of us are willing to help others in some way.

Gallup study: Billions Worldwide Help Others in Need.

44% worldwide say they helped a stranger in the past month
27% donated money to a charity
20% volunteered their time to an organization

The 5 people you need to succeed.

Practicing Gratitude—And Why You Should on Patheos

Look at your attitude and at your set of friends and associates. See who is keeping you focused on the negative then clean house. Life will be much happier when you switch from vampires and demons to gratefulness.

Don’t change your attitude by yourself

Surrounding yourself with positive people is a major step. But often it takes much more. A new, inexpensive ($30.00 at this writing), Harvard course on Harnessing the power of happiness, mindfulness, and inner strength (Positive Psychology) is designed to help those who want to make positive change.

Things you can do

“If you’re feeling down, simple activities like going for a walk in nature, petting a dog or cat, kissing a loved one, and yes, even forcing yourself to smile, can help those neurotransmitters do their job and raise your mood.” – Healthline: This Is How Joy Affects Your Body

Another thing we can do is not grumble about things we have to do. For the Inuit people in the very northern areas of our world which stay frozen, they survive on fish and during the dark months their large families stay together in their small homes. Complaining is taboo. Whatever it is you have to do, you just do it. – The Noonday Demon: An Atlas Of Depression By Andrew Solomon.

5 Ways to Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude. Benefits of having an attitude of gratitude.

“An attitude of gratitude means that you operate from a place of abundance instead of a place of scarcity and fear. Each of us always has a choice of what we will focus on.” Why an Attitude of Gratitude Is Essential (And How to Develop It).

35 Scientific Benefits of Gratitude: Mental Health Research Findings.

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.”
– Philippians 2:14-16 (NASB)

Take Home Points

Gratitude has many health benefits.

The people around us can drag us down. It’s best to select people to be around who aren’t toxic but who lift you up.

Other people mostly want to be helpful. Let them be part of your life.

Be careful not to complain. Complaining drags us down.

Various activities can make us feel happier such as smiling, petting an animal, physical activity, and taking courses on our wellbeing.

Series Links

Don’t worry, be happy – Part 1

Clues to making and accepting change

Controlling your destiny – change and happiness

Gratefulness Changes Everything

We Need to Start a Happiness Epidemic

Satisfaction with the material things we have

Satisfaction with our place in life

Depending on employers and the economy for happiness

Economic exploitation Robs Us of Happiness

Focusing on the right things – The Fools Wise Prayer

___________________

Our answer is God. God’s answer is us. Together we make the world better.

Dorian

About Dorian Scott Cole

More information about the author is on the About tab. You can read more about the author here.

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January 18, 2022

Controlling your destiny - change and happiness

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