If we could all just be grateful for the good in our lives this world would be a much better place. think of all the things that wouldn't happen that happen through envy.
AMEN sister. That is a beautiful thought process there.
As to the Gibson... tell him to try the studio version, cheaper and a GREAT guitar. I have 2. Besides Gibsons are heavy :) Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
Your post reminded me of something my Dad used to say, when at times we were not as grateful as we should be, "I had no shoes and I complained until I met a man who had no feet." ☼ Sunny
The Veteran story is perfect. Thank you for sharing this post.
I've been guilty of comparing what I have to others and feeling envious, but mostly I have a bigger problem with being irritated at people who are forever spending money on stuff that they really don't need. I'm someone who just doesn't appreciate anything that doesn't have a usefulness. I hate clutter with a passion. It drives me a little batty to have stuff piled up not being used. In fact, if I don't use something at least once a year (special outfits, holiday items, kitchen supplies, etc) out it goes.
I'm not a collector either, so I don't have to spend tons of money buying more dust collectors. It makes it more challenging for people to buy me gifts, I suppose. But I always tell them....chocolate is useful *wink*
My car is over 8years old and will be driven until it can't be driven anymore.
I have extended family members in California that irritate me to pieces with all their talk of buying a new car every two years, upgrading to new phones and gadgets when anything new comes out. My phone is one of those old fashioned flip phones....no camera, no touch screen...whatever. I'm not a chat kind of person and too much time on the phone gives me a headache. My cellphone dials 911 if I have an emergency. That's all that matters to me.
They were pending money left and right with gym memberships, buying bigger TV's, a new hot tub, replacing carpet with hardwood, buying new vehicles, an RV, getting manicures/pedicures, taking vacations to Hawaii(braggin about only staying in 5-star hotels).
But you know what? I was never envious of them. I was annoyed at their greediness, frivolousness, and their inability to be content with all the great things they already had. They never knew what it was like to have nothing and to struggle.
Well karma is a sad thing. They are now divorced, their poor kids have suffered, and they are begging everyone for money (including my husband and I....who have always only lived within our means). They are mad at us for not giving them money, so they can go back to their old lifestyle. I feel sorry for them....a little.
I hear people complain and I wonder what they have to complain about. I have a roof over my head and food to eat and medical insurance. What more can I ask for? Two vacations a year? Don't make me laugh!
What a perfectly timed (for me) post!! Maybe that's why God says 'Thou shalt not covet.' Apparently he knows something we don't:) Much love to you and yours!!!! (loving your new page:)
Well what you say is true, but if we didn't aspire to more, where would we be? As long as we don't let desire eat us alive, it's ok to want something more or better.
I wanted more space for Christmas entertaining, but that was fleeting. Today my small house is just right again.
This comment of the man without legs reminds me of the day my Lindsay came home from school all excited because she had been pulled out of class along with the rest of the kids to have her head checked for lice. It was the first time in over five years she hadn't stayed behind because she had no hair on her head due to her cancer treatment. Being checked for lice with the other kids signified to Lindsay that she was normal again. It's just all a matter of perspective.
This was a neat post. My baby brother is a quad and I am reminded everyday how strong he is and inspiring he is to all of us. It happened to him in 1987 when he was in a traffic accident. He was a lumberman and carved beautiful things and made beautiful furniture..that is over..but he goes on. I wish you could know him. I wish everyone could.
January 7, 2011 at 11:42 AM
[Image]Andrew received a wonderful Cort for Christmas and was thrilled but dreams of a Gibson SG.($1500). He jams with an old family friend who has played for years and is allowed to play the SG. This is his dream, to own one. I simply answered, When you are grown and you have worked as hard as Bennie has, you may purchase your own.
That made me think of comparisons. Compared to Andrew's first pawn shop electric, the Cort is a prince of a musical instrument yet he dreams of another...he wants the KING.
If we did not compare, would we be more content? Yes, we would be unaware of things others have and be more aware and grateful for what we do have. Envy is a demon but sometimes, it is a motivator.
I speak of comparisons because I am guilty. My house is not Martha Stewart's but I do own this one. My car is old, but it does run. I could list forever the things I envy...and that saddens me when I have so many things for which to be grateful.
Now, as I type, the soft gentle rain, needed for so long, is falling, reminding me all things come when needed. The heat comes on and I am aware I am warm, when many are not.
I am reminded of a friend, a Veteran who had no legs. It was a beautiful, warm summer's evening as we gathered on the deck with cold drinks to talk. Hubby was complaining about his ingrown toe nail. Our friend politely listened and said, "Do you know how much I would give for an ingrown toenail?"
Sometimes, we just need to be grateful, simply grateful.
18 Comments
Close this window Jump to comment formIf we could all just be grateful for the good in our lives this world would be a much better place. think of all the things that wouldn't happen that happen through envy.
December 29, 2010 at 8:35 AM
Truer words were never spoken!
December 29, 2010 at 8:35 AM
AMEN sister. That is a beautiful thought process there.
As to the Gibson... tell him to try the studio version, cheaper and a GREAT guitar. I have 2. Besides Gibsons are heavy :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
December 29, 2010 at 8:52 AM
Your post reminded me of something my Dad used to say, when at times we were not as grateful as we should be, "I had no shoes and I complained until I met a man who had no feet."
☼ Sunny
December 29, 2010 at 9:05 AM
Awesome post, Gail. Gratitude is one of those escalating qualities in that the more I am grateful the more I have to be grateful for. I like that!
December 29, 2010 at 9:26 AM
....and sometimes we just need a little reminder. Thanks for the very eloquent nudge girl.
May God richly bless your day!!!
December 29, 2010 at 10:46 AM
*nods*
It's not easy. I always try to remember what I have to be thankful for, when I envy or complain.
But great things happen from envy, too, I do agree. Motivation being the number one. :-)
December 29, 2010 at 12:32 PM
The Veteran story is perfect. Thank you for sharing this post.
I've been guilty of comparing what I have to others and feeling envious, but mostly I have a bigger problem with being irritated at people who are forever spending money on stuff that they really don't need.
I'm someone who just doesn't appreciate anything that doesn't have a usefulness. I hate clutter with a passion. It drives me a little batty to have stuff piled up not being used.
In fact, if I don't use something at least once a year (special outfits, holiday items, kitchen supplies, etc) out it goes.
I'm not a collector either, so I don't have to spend tons of money buying more dust collectors. It makes it more challenging for people to buy me gifts, I suppose. But I always tell them....chocolate is useful *wink*
My car is over 8years old and will be driven until it can't be driven anymore.
I have extended family members in California that irritate me to pieces with all their talk of buying a new car every two years, upgrading to new phones and gadgets when anything new comes out.
My phone is one of those old fashioned flip phones....no camera, no touch screen...whatever. I'm not a chat kind of person and too much time on the phone gives me a headache. My cellphone dials 911 if I have an emergency. That's all that matters to me.
They were pending money left and right with gym memberships, buying bigger TV's, a new hot tub, replacing carpet with hardwood, buying new vehicles, an RV, getting manicures/pedicures, taking vacations to Hawaii(braggin about only staying in 5-star hotels).
But you know what? I was never envious of them. I was annoyed at their greediness, frivolousness, and their inability to be content with all the great things they already had. They never knew what it was like to have nothing and to struggle.
Well karma is a sad thing. They are now divorced, their poor kids have suffered, and they are begging everyone for money (including my husband and I....who have always only lived within our means). They are mad at us for not giving them money, so they can go back to their old lifestyle.
I feel sorry for them....a little.
~Lisa
December 29, 2010 at 12:42 PM
Whoopsie! Didn't mean to ramble on so long. Sorry!
Your post just got me thinking about stuff. :)
~Lisa
December 29, 2010 at 12:46 PM
That's certainly true.
December 29, 2010 at 12:57 PM
I hear people complain and I wonder what they have to complain about. I have a roof over my head and food to eat and medical insurance. What more can I ask for? Two vacations a year? Don't make me laugh!
December 29, 2010 at 1:18 PM
What a perfectly timed (for me) post!! Maybe that's why God says 'Thou shalt not covet.' Apparently he knows something we don't:) Much love to you and yours!!!! (loving your new page:)
December 29, 2010 at 1:57 PM
Well what you say is true, but if we didn't aspire to more, where would we be? As long as we don't let desire eat us alive, it's ok to want something more or better.
I wanted more space for Christmas entertaining, but that was fleeting. Today my small house is just right again.
December 29, 2010 at 2:07 PM
This comment of the man without legs reminds me of the day my Lindsay came home from school all excited because she had been pulled out of class along with the rest of the kids to have her head checked for lice. It was the first time in over five years she hadn't stayed behind because she had no hair on her head due to her cancer treatment. Being checked for lice with the other kids signified to Lindsay that she was normal again. It's just all a matter of perspective.
December 29, 2010 at 2:16 PM
Envy is ever the green eyed monster!
Wonderful post! Makes one stop and think about what is really important and what is a need and what is a want!
December 29, 2010 at 6:19 PM
You are so right! Be grateful for what you have!
December 29, 2010 at 7:43 PM
We would all be better people, a better society -- if envy did not creep into to our minds. Great post -- makes one think. :)
December 30, 2010 at 4:39 AM
This was a neat post. My baby brother is a quad and I am reminded everyday how strong he is and inspiring he is to all of us. It happened to him in 1987 when he was in a traffic accident. He was a lumberman and carved beautiful things and made beautiful furniture..that is over..but he goes on. I wish you could know him. I wish everyone could.
January 7, 2011 at 11:42 AM