The Gift of Gratitude
This is the first in a series of blog posts about results from our nationwide survey, entitled “Lessons in Coping with Economic Anxiety – A Gift from Our Elders”. The survey results were announced in conjunction with the annual conference Aging in America 2009. To read the story of the interesting and inspiring findings, see http://www.walkerwonder.com/pages.php?pageid=24
Sometimes things become clichés not because they’re trite but because they’re true. “Be grateful for what you’ve got” is one of those.
Twelve step programs, new age prosperity philosophies, the simplicity movement, and all major spiritual traditions include gratitude as an essential element. And on a light note, how about the role gratitude has played in Britney Spears’ unbelievable comeback?
In our Lessons in Coping survey, 79% of survey respondents cited “gratitude” as a key to helping them cope with today’s economic uncertainties, and they say they learned this vital coping skill from their elders:
A 30-year old man said simply:
“I was taught to be grateful for what I have and not be wasteful.”
A woman in Alabama shared this:
My aunt was in her early 20s during the depression, living in the country as a doctor’s daughter. She has told me many stories about her dad getting paid for services (if ever) with chickens and sacks of potatoes. She learned to make do with whatever was available and appreciate it all.
A 44 year-old woman in California commented:
My grandma was always happy with what she had. She didn’t need material things to make her happy. That’s helped me cut back on my spending and stay satisfied with what I already have.
For myself, I’m reminded of my dad teaching me to fish when I was little. If I was frustrated because we weren’t catching anything, he would remind me just to look around and enjoy our time together by the water on a warm springtime afternoon.
Nowadays, I have to remind myself of that old lesson. I have not yet found a way to focus on gratitude without slowing down, at least a little bit, just like when I was fishing. If my mind is saying, “I’m so grateful for these comfortable slippers,” then at least for those few moments, I’m not reordering the to-do list or sorting the bills…a moment of calm in the midst of stress.
Anything you’d like to say about this lesson of gratitude from your elders? Any memorable experience of which you’re reminded? And how is gratitude playing out now in your life now? Share your ideas, experiences, and comments below.
Check back soon for the next post in this series.
