The Test of a Grateful Heart
Unconditional Gratitude
This is one of those blogging moments when I had a post completely written, but when I woke up this morning that post wasn’t what I wanted to share.
See, the thing is, I’m sure we would all agree the words in this quote are true, right.
Gratitude and an appreciation for life is easy when life is going your way, but the true test of a grateful heart is gratitude when life doesn’t go your way. When life throws you a curve ball indulging in negative thoughts can become all too easy [if you let it].
As I type these words I’m asking myself is this too pie-in-the-sky-ish. Is it pleasant to contemplate but very unlikely to be realized?
My answer is no.
I truly believe that if you fill your heart with gratitude there won’t be any room for self pity, regret, bitterness and negativity.
A grateful heart might even make the disappointments and hard times easier.
An appreciation for how precious life is can provide a perspective that lets us see life in it’s entirety and not focusing only on the temporary circumstances.
[Tweet “Test of a Grateful Heart. Marcus Aurelius #quote. @sweatpink @ideafit #believe #gratitude”]
Is this too pie in the sky? Is it unrealistic to believe in the resiliency of a grateful heart?
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I saw the title of this post this morning (before I read it) and it stuck with me on my hard, hard, hard 9 mile training run. It’s funny but, when things get hard in running, when I don’t think I can hold a pace, my thoughts always drift to my mom who passed away 20 years ago who can’t run, who could never run, and I’m grateful that I can. That thought process leads to thinking of so, so many people who can’t do what I do and my heart and lungs fill with gratitude. So no, I don’t think it’s too pie in the sky. It is what you make of it. And, as you know, so much of what we do on the run directly translates to life!
I don’t think it is unrealistic at all. We just have to remember and be gentle with ourselves since some days are easier than others to see the glass as half full.
I so believe this! Have you read 1,000 Gifts?! It is amazing. I read it last year before the new year and then gave all my girl friends a gratitude journal for the new year.
Positive thinking can and will get you everywhere I think. It sounds cheesy, but I feel as though I turned my life around about 10/11 years ago when I just wasn’t happy and I realize it was because I was thinking negatively, and since that time we’ve become a lot more successful whereas before we were just trudging along trying to get through the “crummy” days. Those days taught me a lot and I am grateful for them, but also grateful for my healthy, happy, positive heart.
I am trying to find gratitude in everyday. There are always little things to be grateful about even if life hands you lemons.
It’s just easier said than done, but it is definitely worth working on. Either way, what fun would life be if we were 100% “realistic” all the time?
Not at all! When I worked in social work I felt like I was constantly surrounded by negativity and sorrow–if I didn’t focus on the good, the gifts I had been given and even the little things to be thankful for in a bad situation my spirit would have wilted. Gratefulness is a practice to be cultivated! Have you ever read the book 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp? It’s about her journey chronicalling 1000 things she was thankful for. A really good read!
I think its a great sentiment but really difficult to achieve, though not impossible!
I truly believe in positivity and a grateful outlook because things could be so much worse – TRUST ME and I know this first hand. Someone thinks their situation is horrible but there is someone else going through something you can’t even imagine. And even if that latter person is YOU, you are still here and able to fight through it and that is definitely something to be grateful for.
I definitely think it’s possible and although I’m not there, it’s something I strive for. Great thoughts!
a grateful heart is a great way to start each day and to share with it the world is a nice gift! This is a FAB thing to hear at the beginning of the week! If we don’t believe it can’t happen, right?
Great post! love it!!
I think that filling your heart with gratitude is the first and last step to opening your heart and realizing your full potential. It begins and ends there.!
I definitely don’t think its unrealistic. Although opening up our hearts leaves us susceptible to being hurt, it also opens us up to so many other great things. Its so easy to take the littlest things for granted, but expressing gratitude is always important, even if you don’t receive a word for thanks from anybody else.
Such a timely post for me. I woke up with grumpy pants on and just cannot shake it. I think I live with a grateful heart, but some days the universe and I just don’t jive and today is one of those days. All I can do it shake it off and have a better one tomorrow 🙂
I don’t think it is at all. As I sit and type this out, I have no heat in my house and it’s -20C. I could choose to be annoyed, angry, frustrated and complain but instead, I’m choosing to be grateful because any other day when it’s cold like this, I have heat to keep me and my family warm. So many out there can’t say that.
I don’t think it’s too “pie in the sky” but I think it is definitely something we need to really focus on and think about. For me I need this type of reminder every day – in the morning, afternoon, evening….. Some days it seems easier than others.
So true! being grateful seems to go hand in hand with being happy!
I agree that gratitude is everything! I try to be grateful every day for every little thing. Being human, however, I have my moments where my attitude is less than positive. But I do try!
Right on. Nice post, Jill and I think that it is indeed REALISTIC and true.
Its not unrealistic at all! We all need to be a little more grateful every day. That come with making ourselves happy also. great post as always!
This is something that has been on my mind lately too. It is easy to get wrapped up in all the is WRONG and forget all that is RIGHT.
Gratefulness is something I try to instill in my kids. Doesn’t happen every day but I try. Love your Monday motivations.
I don’t think its unrealistic- but still challenging to actually reach place where you can truly believe it. I think the more that we focus on it and work towards it, the more likely it will be that we can actually experience it.
Absolutely NOT is this too “pie in this sky” A grateful heart, a more positive mindset makes us more RESILIENT to set backs, allows us to move forward form negativity and life’s curveballs.
It is easy to be heavy, hard to be light xoxo
I don’t think it’s unrealistic but definitely easier said than done. Some days I do a better job of staying positive than others. Great reminder, tho!
So true 🙂 I think with practice a little bit at a time we can get to that feeling. The first step is noticing when you’re choosing pity, fear, regret or negativity and stepping out of it to notice without judgement. Then slowly replace that with gratitude over time 🙂
I think that being grateful is the key to happiness.
I don’t think it’s unrealistic. But, with that said it’s easy to stray away from this when we get caught up in the day to day chores and annoyances. I try to feel like this every day, but it isn’t easy sometimes.