Building An Attitude Of Gratitude

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Introduction
With the Thanksgiving celebration, individuals should reflect on their many blessings. However, many people in society have forgotten this trait. Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day is a special holiday for many Americans. It is a time of family gatherings, good family, and a reflection of past memories of this tradition. Isn't it ironic? That folks spend 364 days showing ingratitude to each other. In fact, many people are too busy running the rat race to say, "Thank you." Our society doesn't teach us that being appreciative is a virtue. This article explores how the Thanksgiving holidays can build an attitude of gratitude in society.

Gratitude
Developing a spirit of gratitude separates an individual from the rest of the pack. With the economic crisis, rising unemployment, and growing foreclosures, some people may feel there isn't anything to celebrate. Yet, some people many to show the brighter side of life. Richard S. Brown, Jr., one of the leading preachers in Tennessee and pastor of the Payne Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, understands the pessimistic mood of the country. He has seen this ...
... dispirited attitude in his own community. Yet, this minister sees a silver lining in all this financial gloom. Pastor Brown explains, "Someone may say that I don't see anything to be thankful about. An unhappy mind is an unthankful mind. Having an attitude of thanks should be something that emanates from you."

Therefore, gratitude is all about character. Gratitude can be defined as the quality of being thankful; it is a readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. In the fast pace of industrial living, people aren't saying "thank you" to anyone. Most people feel they deserve any kind act done for them. In fact, a selfish society creates a generation of ungrateful children. Consequently, our children grow up with this huge expectation of social pampering. Why else would a) waiters expect tips without good service, b) students expect good grades without the effort, and c) couples want great relationships without any communication. All of these unrealistic expectations make "thank you" less important.

A New Attitude
It is easy to see how people such as recent college graduates, can be discouraged with the current economic recession. According to the U.S. Labor Department, only 47.6% of people aged 16 to 24 had jobs last August. In the current economic climate, individuals need a spirit of gratitude for a competitive advantage. Some young people may call this strategy too old-fashioned. Yet, fools shun wise counsel. In my book, Don't Be An Old Fool: Common Sense & Gratitude, I mock popular culture which provides solutions that don't make common sense. In my world, I define a fool as an individual who is unwilling to listen and heed wise advice. When you show someone some gratitude after they assist you, that individual will likely continue to help or do more for you. However, if you are ungrateful, many times people will not do any more for you. The following are ways to instill gratitude: (a) Count your blessings one by one. Give God thanks, (b) Tell your parents "thank you" for their support, (c) Give back financially to your university, (d) Visit past teachers who have contributed to your good character, (e) Thank the person in your community who serves as your role model, and (f) Thank the public servants in your area (such as military personnel, police officers, etc.). Showing gratitude places an individual in a special situation with most people due to the fact of a growing ingratitude society.

Conclusion
As the economy continues to spiral downward, people are looking at various ways to differentiate themselves from the competition. The holiday season is the perfect time to add some gratitude into the character-building process. If a person is honest, he or she can probably think of at least one person who has helped him or her in some way. It's easy to get into a trap of only looking at the negative side of life. Can you afford to acknowledge these acts of kindness, no matter the size? Make your holidays the best ever! Spread your appreciation across your community. Showcasing a spirit of gratitude can be very rewarding and can transform an individual's situation.

© 2011 by Daryl D. Green

The author provides motivation, guidance, and training for leaders at critical ages and stages of their development. He has over 20 years of management experience and has been noted and quoted by USA Today, Ebony Magazine, and Associated Press. For more information, you can go to nuleadership.wordpress.com or www.darylgreen.org.