The Power of Gratitude
I was sailing with a friend and the desired direction of travel was north. I said, “Murray, we want to go north and the wind is from the north. How can we do that.” He said, “Duane, it is not the gale but the set of the sail that makes the vessel go.” That is a life lesson. We can harness the adverse life storms to accomplish our life goals. An attitude of gratitude captures the power of adversity and leads us to victory.
First, let me look at four enemies that sabotage gratitude.
1. Entitlement — This is fueled by “I deserve.” I have flown over 2 million miles with Air Canada. That makes me one of the 15% who provide 80% of the airlines revenue. People have said to me that I deserve special treatment. The moment I allow that to enter my thinking I set myself up for disappointment. That disappointment robs me of gratitude and sets me up for complaining about what I didn’t receive. When that happens, I downplay what has been given and complain about the service. This occurs at work, in marriage, and in every sphere of life. We feel deprived and unappreciated. Unfortunately that depreciates our productivity and creativity.
2. The Evaluator — I give myself the position of jury and judge. I assess the evidence from my point of view and values, give my verdict and declare the “just” judgment. My judgemental attitude alienates me from people and confirms my conclusion that I am just not wanted. My negative attitude cancels the value of what others have to bring to my life. I am convinced that my thirst for revenge is not only justified, but also necessary.
3. The Executor— I now believe that I have the right to taint the reputation of the person/people who have wronged me. I will use words to draw you into agreement with my assessment and diminish the value of their character.
4. The Epi-center — I create a world of reality that revolves around me and my importance and seeks to sign you up as one of my fans. The final nail is in the coffin of gratitude.
Attitudes that fuel gratitude
1. Compassion — I will allow myself to be touched with the feeling of another person’s infirmity. I will endeavor to walk in their shoes and understand what motivates their behavior. I am grateful that I can be strength to someone else’s weakness.
2. Kindness — An undeserved act of making my assets available for the needs of another. It helps remind me to be grateful for how others have given to my needs.
3. Humility — The ability to see our weakness and the strength that others have brought to that need. A major source of fuel for gratitude.
4. Gentleness — I will reduce my strength so as not to overpower your weakness. This helps increase gratitude for the investment that others have made in us.
5. Forgiveness — All of us, at some point, have failed to keep our word. We have spoken harsh words, deliberately acted against the will of authority, used language that was offensive and degrading, and the list goes on. Forgiveness is an extension of our gratitude for the way others have forgiven us.
6. Love — I will seek your good at my expense. I will invest in you without expecting recognition or change. I will own my part in your failure. I will walk with you in vulnerability and weakness. This love is the deepest form of gratitude that we can express. Out of gratitude for God’s love, we extend love to others.
Commit yourself to removing the enemies that destroy gratitude and actively pursue the qualities that release gratitude and
I’ll see you at the top.
Duane Harder
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