Count those blessings
The older I grow, the more grateful I am to have had and still have both my parents, but sometimes, you wouldn't know by the way I complain about them.
I was going through my baby album and couldn't help but cry when I realized that those two people were with me through every stage of my life. They were the consistent factor in all the photos. Some faces came and went away, I couldn't identify some, but these two faces, as much as they changed through the years, were always there. That's the life I've lived. And I am not one bit guilty to have lived it that way.
I don't know why but sometimes people like me are sometimes made to feel guilty to have lived life so pain-free. We're made to feel that we haven't really lived life because we still have a home to run to. And I in no way underestimate the pain of loosing a parent or the challenge of living life without one, I cannot imagine what it must be like. But as much as those that lived and live life like that didn't chose to, I didn't chose to live my life this way either. God, for reasons only He can comprehend, has done as He saw fit with each of our lives.
Anyway, point is, I learnt a lesson these past few weeks. I was so hurt and angry by various things that were going on around the house that I decided to just keep to myself. My dad's birthday was looming and I was uncertain how I'd get through it. If you know me, you know I'm those people who fuss over special days (I celebrate my parents wedding anniversary, by myself!) So I was pleased when I was invited to a wedding three hours away from home.
Saturday morning, just before I was to leave, I needed my dad's help with something. He's not a morning person, he grumbles instead of using words to anything you ask him before 7am. After he helped me, watching him walk around with his big build, sleep still written all over his face, I thought how much he looked like a giant teddy bear, and blurted "Have a nice birthday dad!" He made a sound, I laughed and drove away. Later that night we were laughing and talking around a delicious chocolate cake.
I realized that day, that as much as we'll have times that we don't see eye to eye, and will really hurt each other in the process, and will really complain about each other, at the end of the day, we should be grateful to have each other to complain about in the first place. People are so irreplaceable, I care not how old or young they are, how long or little you've known them. We spend so much time fussing over issues instead of getting them sorted and moving on to live life and create memories.
It's been proven that complaining negatively affects our brain and physical health. We live life dissatisfied the more we complain. And I've recently discovered how difficult it is to curb the habit (Today has been one of my best days yet, I've only complained once - with good reason if I might add - I was following a car that was moving at 40km/h in a 60 zone which I usually drive 80 in), but it's not impossible, it can be done. What's important to keep in mind is an attitude of gratitude. It's very tricky to complain when you're too busy appreciating something. This doesn't mean you are blinded towards it's faults, but instead of just talking about it in a negative manner that ends up sinking your own ship, you're more empowered to do something about it.
As the saying goes "If you don't like something, change it; if you can't change it, change your attitude." The key to not complaining is realizing that there is always something you can change.
In fact, being grateful is not so optional when you're Christ's follower. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, being grateful is God's will for us.
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
Our call to a life of abundance has much to do with our attitude.
May God help us all to count our blessings every time we're tempted to lodge complaints.
I was going through my baby album and couldn't help but cry when I realized that those two people were with me through every stage of my life. They were the consistent factor in all the photos. Some faces came and went away, I couldn't identify some, but these two faces, as much as they changed through the years, were always there. That's the life I've lived. And I am not one bit guilty to have lived it that way.
I don't know why but sometimes people like me are sometimes made to feel guilty to have lived life so pain-free. We're made to feel that we haven't really lived life because we still have a home to run to. And I in no way underestimate the pain of loosing a parent or the challenge of living life without one, I cannot imagine what it must be like. But as much as those that lived and live life like that didn't chose to, I didn't chose to live my life this way either. God, for reasons only He can comprehend, has done as He saw fit with each of our lives.
Anyway, point is, I learnt a lesson these past few weeks. I was so hurt and angry by various things that were going on around the house that I decided to just keep to myself. My dad's birthday was looming and I was uncertain how I'd get through it. If you know me, you know I'm those people who fuss over special days (I celebrate my parents wedding anniversary, by myself!) So I was pleased when I was invited to a wedding three hours away from home.
Saturday morning, just before I was to leave, I needed my dad's help with something. He's not a morning person, he grumbles instead of using words to anything you ask him before 7am. After he helped me, watching him walk around with his big build, sleep still written all over his face, I thought how much he looked like a giant teddy bear, and blurted "Have a nice birthday dad!" He made a sound, I laughed and drove away. Later that night we were laughing and talking around a delicious chocolate cake.
I realized that day, that as much as we'll have times that we don't see eye to eye, and will really hurt each other in the process, and will really complain about each other, at the end of the day, we should be grateful to have each other to complain about in the first place. People are so irreplaceable, I care not how old or young they are, how long or little you've known them. We spend so much time fussing over issues instead of getting them sorted and moving on to live life and create memories.
It's been proven that complaining negatively affects our brain and physical health. We live life dissatisfied the more we complain. And I've recently discovered how difficult it is to curb the habit (Today has been one of my best days yet, I've only complained once - with good reason if I might add - I was following a car that was moving at 40km/h in a 60 zone which I usually drive 80 in), but it's not impossible, it can be done. What's important to keep in mind is an attitude of gratitude. It's very tricky to complain when you're too busy appreciating something. This doesn't mean you are blinded towards it's faults, but instead of just talking about it in a negative manner that ends up sinking your own ship, you're more empowered to do something about it.
As the saying goes "If you don't like something, change it; if you can't change it, change your attitude." The key to not complaining is realizing that there is always something you can change.
In fact, being grateful is not so optional when you're Christ's follower. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, being grateful is God's will for us.
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
Our call to a life of abundance has much to do with our attitude.
May God help us all to count our blessings every time we're tempted to lodge complaints.
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