We serve ourselves best in expressing gratitude without envy. At first, this takes a little practice of our newly acquired skills. Gratitude is an easy enough concept to understand but to put it into practice, we have to watch our automatic reactions. Remember how your parents used to tell you not to waste food because there were starving kids in the world? That was an elementary attempt at teaching gratitude because the goal was to make you think about how fortunate you were to have food on your plate. But did you really appreciate it? Now, think about a friend of a loved one who recently received something big. A new car for instance… how easy was it to express gratitude for their blessings without a hint of envy trying to sneak up and steal the show? Remember, the ego resists gratitude, because it wants to run a self-centered riot.
Gratitude Without Envy
Gratitude is a concept better understood with age. Once children get older and start to understand the concept of gratitude, they’re usually bombarded with commercials and marketing ploys for all the latest, coolest gadgets. The problem is that all this hype and marketing undermines parents’ desire to teach their children to be happy with what they already have. And jealousy is especially difficult to battle when children have friends who get whatever they desire. Still, if love and gratitude is only expressed through the appreciation of worldly things, there is no depth or deeper meaning to it. It’s important to remember that things break down, get old, and stop working at some point. Not to mention, there is so MUCH MORE to appreciate of this beautiful life than all that.
What Is Gratitude?
If you look in the dictionary you’ll find the definition of gratitude is a feeling of thankfulness; basically, being happy with what you have in life. Sit and think about all that you have – your home, family, health, food, car, and faith – and then consider those people who don’t have any of those things. It’s very humbling to realize that there are so many joys we take for granted in our life! When we can acknowledge our blessings, we open ourselves to profound levels of appreciation. Gratitude helps you see the true joys in everything – big or small. Just remember that every gift in your life should be a pleasant surprise rather than a desperate or jealous desire.
Showing Gratitude Without Envy
Both children and adults are guilty of being envious of other people’s possessions or success at one time or another. It’s human nature, especially since we see what others have and desire it for ourselves. The thing is, we’re not living in harsh survival situations daily. Instead, we live in a world where excess is masked as “necessity”.The need to hoard and covet is reinforced only by the ego-centric imagination. Make a choide. If you’re ready to eliminate jealousy in favor of genuine gratitude, here are a few reminders:
1. Express Appreciation for all things, big and small.
Notice what gives you joy and express your appreciation of that; with no sense of gaining something in return. Simple things like writing thank-you notes or sending a text to communicate your love and admiration are super effective in showing your gratitude for this life that you get to live every day.
2. Practice Gratitude Regularly, even during difficult times. By doing something small but meaningful each day to show your gratitude, you’re forming an important habit that will last for your lifetime.
3. Gratitude is not all about money. Making charitable contributions is wonderful but if you don’t have the money to do that, volunteer your time at a soup kitchen, animal shelter, or other charity that touches your heart. Your time is just as valuable as money!
Teaching Kids a Life Lesson
Young children generally have a difficult time thinking of the big world around them. Every time you get a chance, consider if you are providing an embodied example of how to meet life with grace and appreciation. They barely have a concept of another town or state, never mind starving kids in a foreign country. By engaging in acts like volunteering as a family, you can show your children the real struggles other people face. You can demonstrate the realness of how their own problems or desires fit into the big picture. Keep in mind, the idea is to nurture being more concerned about people, than things is a straight path to a life well-lived. Things can be replaced, but people are priceless. After all, without the sacrifices of our parents and the gift of positive relationships, there would be no one to share our things with!
Keep Dreaming Big
Gratitude plays an important role in your own personal growth journey but expressing your gratitude doesn’t mean you have to give up on your dreams. If you want to reach a certain career level, go for it. Want a bigger house, save up. If your child wants the newest electronic toy, let him start learning the value of money. In doing so, you will begin to appreciate your life journey a whole lot more. Keeping perspective is easier when we always have an attitude of gratitude in mind.