Blog 3521 – 06.25.2025
Maintaining An Attitude of Gratitude
I believe that the defining characteristic in the lives of people who experience the most success and happiness is that they maintain an attitude of gratitude. And the best way to do just that is by focusing on the good things in our lives and giving less attention to those annoying, disappointing, and discouraging words and experiences that come our way,
One of the best pieces of advice, to me, is found in the New Testament words that follow:
It does us little good to worry or dwell on the slights, the tragedies, the “bad luck” that come our way and can have us feeling like even ole Job has nothing on us. Focusing on the “nasty bits” my brothers and sisters, is a downward spiral leading to an ever deeper darker depression that blocks out every ray of sunshine in our lives. In the words of the old Hee Haw skit, “Gloom, despair, and agony on me. If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.”
A much better and happier way to experience life is found in the words of a nineteenth fifties popular song that I have put a link to below. It goes, “When I’m worried and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep and I fall asleep counting my blessing.”
Many people my age and even younger have already begun to hate life and also to live in fear of the “nasty bits” that so many go through towards the end of life. I intend to enjoy the ride for as long as I can and I also intend, wish, hope and pray (believing) that I get to choose the ending of my adventure in time and space. And so however long this journey lasts I fully expect to forgo most if not all of those “nasty bits” and instead opt for that happier ending that the old Gambler mentions in the Kenny Rogers song: “The best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep.”
Till that happens, I figure that if I play my cards right that I may have more than a few hands left to play, and I will be counting my blessing, thinking happy thoughts, and enjoying sweet dreams. Want a happy life, dear friends? Maintain an attitude of gratitude.
Your friend and fellow traveler,
David James White
White Christmas Count your Blessings
theencouragingword 