Sometimes you need a kick in the head reminder about gratitude
A few years ago I taught a class at a homeless shelter in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago. It had to do with gratitude and music. Each week everyone, including myself, would bring in a piece of music that would make them happy and show their gratitude in spite of their living situation. The song would be played and then we'd discuss what it was about and why it made them feel the way they did.
One night I walked in the room to begin the class and written on the chalkboard was this phrase, “Gratitude changes everything.” I thought it was appropriate for the class, but when I asked who wrote it no one knew.
That night, instead of playing music, we talked about the words on the wall. Everyone bought into the words. When I asked how it was possible to be gratitude while living under such conditions, I got the following responses:
“Everything that happened before is in the past. I look forward and am grateful for what's happening now and in the future.”
“My life before the I got here was my rock bottom. It's much better now. I'm grateful for that.”
“I'm getting ready to move into my own apartment. How can I not be happy, excited and grateful?”
Wow! I never expected any of that. They gave me quite a lesson in gratitude. I learned that sometimes I need a kick in the head reminder from people less fortunate to remember to be grateful for all that you have.
I received another one of those reminders last week.
Two weeks ago, I had surgery for a torn rotator cuff. I admit I've been feeling down and having some self-pity about this. See, this was surgery number two in three months on that same arm. The first one went well and it was close to being one hundred per cent healed when a freak incident ripped the rotator cuff completely.
The pain from the surgery has been sporadic. One day is good, the next day not so much. I know it's only a short time frame, but it's frustrating and ads to the self-pity
Last Thursday, I went for my first post-op checkup. When I walked in the office there was a man at the counter trying to check in for an appointment. One of his arms was in a cast and supported by a sling. In addition to that, his new insurance card hadn't arrived yet, so he was told he couldn't be seen that day. This was the second time he was getting sent away by this office. His frustration could be heard in his loud voice.
As he left the office, a woman rolled in. Rolled, because she was in a wheelchair. I looked at her and noticed that both her legs had casts, bandages and large bruises. I assumed she had to be in a bad accident to get that way. It was tough to look at.
And here’s me with my somewhat little arm thing, feeling sorry for myself when obviously there are two people right in my line of sight in much worse shape.
It was just another kick in the head reminder to be grateful for what you do have, which is plenty and is more than enough.
Just because you're grateful doesn't mean your pain or troubles aren't real. They certainly are and I don't mean to take those feelings away from anyone, including myself. However, being grateful and living like that does help you get through the tough times. Sometimes you just need a kick in the head moment or two to remember this.