Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about gratitude. We sometimes overuse the word to the extent that it sounds hollow. Although gratitude in itself is a good thing, and certainly connected to happiness, we often overlook the relationship between gratitude and discontentment which is equally important.

Think of it this way.  Discontentment leads to action.  For example, the storm we just had last week in the northeast. So many people had horror stories about their commutes home from work. Hours and hours on the road worried about safety and not running out of gas. Most people did not tolerate it well and were really unhappy.  They were relieved to get home but the prevailing emotion was discontentment, with lots of angry finger pointing at weather forecasters and transportation officials. Those people through their various reactions (social media, etc.) lit a fire under the weather and transportation professionals to improve their game. If everyone only felt grateful to be home, no further action would take place – we would keep the status quo. I am grateful that we don’t accept the status quo in medicine, technology, education etc. The advances that have come with those who push the boundaries of our knowledge have been tremendous and have impacted mankind in immeasurable ways.

My cynical father used to say, “if the cavemen were complacent, they wouldn’t have looked both ways on their way out of the cave and we wouldn’t be here today! The lions and tigers would have had full stomachs instead!”

So now, on the eve of Thanksgiving, when we usually focus on all of the things we are grateful for, let’s also consider contemplating those not-so-great status quo things that we can help improve in our world. Are we all voting, involved in volunteer or public good projects, or taking proactive steps to confront the sources of discontentment in our lives?   Empowering our families to look beyond the obvious sources of happiness in our lives – each other, health and a table full of food – and see the really big challenges requiring personal energy.  That is where the fertile ground is. And for me, I am especially grateful for those who choose to stretch a bit and take on a share. Because, through their cumulative efforts, the world becomes a better, healthier and safer place and the bigger scale tips toward happiness for all.

So, having said all that – I hope I gave you some food for thought and wish you all a happy, filling Thanksgiving.

#gratitude, #Thanksgiving, #blog, #family, #reflection