Develop an Attitude of Gratitude
Issue #29
Many people in our society are afraid of growing old. When I was a teenager, the slogan was "Don't trust anyone over thirty." In 2023, people spent over 50 billion dollars globally on anti-aging products. About one-third of that was spent by Americans. Â
People often fear the loss of their youth. The physical changes to our bodies and our minds can be very challenging. One of my favorite quotes is: "Age is not for sissies." The elderly face memory challenges and chronic pain. Even creative leaders worry about losing their creative abilities as they age.Â
Yet age can bring something rarely found in youth — wisdom and peace. If we have paid attention to the lessons that life has bestowed, we will have earned a measure of wisdom and peace. Yet, some fail to learn these lessons and are doomed to repeat the same mistakes.
Are you unhappy with your life?  Disappointed with the path your life has taken? Do you have regrets and keep living in the past? My brother-in-law was like that.  He was never happy with what life had tossed his way. He was always looking for the next opportunity, the next pot of gold. He died just short of his 51st birthday still seeking success. He failed to see what he had in front of him — people who loved him. Â
From time to time, we all need to pause and reflect on what the challenges we have faced have to teach us. What did I learn this week or this month that will make me a better person? Why do I keep making the same mistakes? How can I better serve the people I love? What am I thankful for?
Part of the wisdom of age is learning to accept our lives and to appreciate the gifts we have been given. We need to find peace with our desires and accept what we can not change.
Gratitude is not a new attitude.  It was not invented by the pilgrims at Plymouth Rock nor by the legions of motivational speakers who ride the circuit and preach from the pulpit of love.  Gratitude has probably been with us from the beginning of human time on this earth — from the moment someone offered to share her drumstick, her fur, or her fire. Â
Gratitude is not a one-day act of thanksgiving but a way of life. Â Do you have an attitude of gratitude? Â Do you wake up with a smile and love in your heart? Â Or are you like most of us who need to cultivate gratitude? Â
Here are five actions that you can take immediately to help you find peace in your life and develop the wisdom of age.
Create a gratitude journal. Every day, write down something that you are thankful for.
Find ways to thank the people who have made a difference in your life. This could include family, friends, teachers, and colleagues.
Remember people's birthdays. I once met a woman who sent birthday cards yearly to the more than 1500 people she knew. For most of us, our birthdays are a special day.
Volunteer to help someone in need. The opportunities are endless. Service to others in their time of need is a privilege.
Write down the stories of your life. Our lives are best understood through the stories we tell ourselves and others.
Be sure to plant Seeds of Hope in the hearts of others!
