Isn’t it strange that in a nation nicknamed the “land of opportunity” so many of us struggle to find happiness? Maybe it’s because our society is driven by envy rather than gratitude.
Psychologist Dr. Henry Cloud explains why people controlled by envy find happiness so elusive. It’s because envious people believe they need what they don’t have. They tell themselves, “If only I had that car, or that job, or a different relationship, life would be so much better.” In reality, even after they get what they crave, nothing changes. They’re just as unhappy as before, and their search for the missing pieces starts all over again. It’s like a bucket with a hole in it – no amount of water is enough to keep it filled.
People who live with a sense of gratitude, on the other hand, are able to feel content with what they do have – however little or much that may be. They don’t believe happiness is “out there” somewhere. They appreciate the blessings that surround them right at that moment.
Obviously, that perspective can have a positive impact on every area of life. It allows a person to better value their job, their relationships, and their family.
Learn to live in gratitude for what you already have. You’ll probably discover you have everything you need to be happy right now, if you’ll only allow yourself to see it.
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