I can’t count how many times I’ve heard people complain about things being hard, even when you can clearly see that they are doing well. Whenever I ask someone about their business or life, I always get the same answers:
These are tough times. Last year was better. Even the Covid times were way easier. The previous regime served us better.
But even last year, during Covid, or the previous regime, no one acknowledged its goodness. How is it that the past always seems more favorable to most people?
These people are not where they were last year, or two or three years ago. They’ve had kids, taken some to school, and graduated others. They have built homes or moved to better houses. They have bigger businesses and investments. They own cars. It’s clear, there’s change and improvement in their lives.
Last December, I talked to people I know, who, it was visible, had experienced an increase in their lives and businesses in the previous year or months, and they were still doing very well. I asked them how they were faring.
Wow unto me!
Things are bad. There’s no money. Nothing much is happening.
To them, every year, every season is worse than the last. And that isn’t true. Because I see people who are prospering. I don’t see deterioration.
We don’t acknowledge the good. We live our present in misery, thinking and talking about what is not working. We eat, drink, and sleep soundly, only to wake up and declare lack and difficulties. Are things really getting worse, or are we just thankless?
I will tell you what it is.
We’re ungrateful.
Research shows that a lack of gratitude is a major contributor to dissatisfaction in life and work. When we’re not grateful for what we already have, even more will feel insufficient. No matter how much we acquire, we’ll always find ourselves wanting more.
“A person who is ungrateful for what they have, will never be content with more.” – Unknown
Here’s the truth:
When you focus on the smallest blessings, and thank God for them, you begin to open your heart to more. You invite positivity and abundance into your life.
So when someone asks you about your life or business, at least talk about what’s working. Even in tough times, there are always things to be thankful for.
Let’s look carefully into our lives…
Is there anything working that was not working last month, last season, or last year? Is your health intact? Have your finances improved? How about your business? Have you grown spiritually? Have your kids attained any milestones? Any quality relationship?
Find something, even the tiniest improvement, and be grateful for that.
Furthermore,
“Gratitude gives birth to gratitude and ingratitude creates more ingratitude.” – Mokichi Okada
Unless you want to multiply problems in your life, resist the “things are tough” mentality.
Speak about your wins.
You’ve them!