With so many awful things happening in our world, I have been reflecting on the difference between Fate and Luck. For example, given the overwhelming research available on how children learn and develop, it is no secret that children in homes with access to books, computers, etc., will do better in school. It is a simple fact. If you live in an area with a higher standard of health care, you will be healthier. It is that simple. You can go on and on and on. Did God decide that we live in such areas are indeed blessed more by God? I don't think so. I just shuddered seeing the suffering of people in Afghanistan, the areas ravaged by overflowing streams, areas hit by tornados - did God favor them or punish them based upon his plan? I don't think so.
Seeing the poverty in Afghanistan made me reflect on how fortunate I am. Did I earn this comfortable live in southern Morris County? Hardly. But I am grateful.
DId God want to punish people by sending them floods? Ad nauseum. You get my point.
What to do with these truths?
IN these overwhelming times of devastation, I'm driven to look at how I have been grateful to God? In the pace of life, it is regretably unfortunate when I have not show enough gratitude. I hate it when other people take me for granted - but I'm afraid that I sometimes do the same thing. While waiting to see if electricity would last through the night and whether the outposts of the Passaic River would overflow and inconvenience my life (horrors!), I laughed at myself and then thought about the things that I take for granted. I quickly decided to become more disciplined about gratitude. I must.
I may be lucky when a tornado decides to go somewhere else. but it is hardly the will of God to send the tornado crashing into buildings and homes. There is a randomness in life that is serendipitous - and out of our control.
What is under our control is the ability to be grateful - to thank God for blessings received - to thank people who have been kind to us - and to more thoughtfully remember not to take people for granted who have been good to us.
These are not the most profound thoughts - but I believe they are necessary things to remember each day - so I must follow this.
There are clear benefits to gratitude. I came across this list:
- Gratitude opens the door to more relationships.
- Gratitude improves physical health.
- Gratitude improves psychological health.
- Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression.
- Grateful people sleep better.
- Gratitude improves self-esteem.
- Gratitude increases mental strength
