“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” Oprah Winfrey

As we head into Thanksgiving week, I thought a little reminder about gratitude would be helpful for all of us. I don’t know about you, but I feel like I always have a grateful heart, and then I read a quote like Oprah’s and I’m not sure I do. I definitely think about what I don’t have—I wouldn’t say I concentrate on it, but it’s a fine line as we chase our dreams, right?

“Gratitude paints little smiley faces on everything it touches.”

Richelle E. Goodrich

If I had to define the difference, I would say it starts with being immensely grateful for what we have, but that shouldn’t stop our desire for more. It certainly didn’t stop Oprah! I guess the one word that causes all the problems is when we say, “Just be grateful.” It’s the “just” that causes all the problems. Grateful—yes. Desire more—yes. Settling—no. Bitter or resentful—definitely no.

I believe the most important part of Oprah’s quote is, “If you concentrate on what you don’t have.” Focusing on the lack versus focusing on the desire for more, are two different things. Gratitude makes our hearts full. It’s a reminder that we live in an abundant world and we already have so many blessings. Desiring more doesn’t make us ungrateful, no, it’s the lack of gratitude that makes us ungrateful. There’s a difference. Start with a grateful, overflowing heart and you can’t go wrong!

Let’s GO! WE GOT THIS!
Beth