3 Steps to Gratitude…Guaranteed!

Gratitude vs. Indebtedness

I found a really, very, cool distinction on

Wikipedia,

MUST READ…. (next slide)

Gratitude vs. Indebtedness

Gratitude is not the same as indebtedness.

While both emotions occur following help,

indebtedness occurs when a person

perceives that they are under an obligation to

make some repayment of compensation for

the aid.

(continued)

Gratitude vs. Indebtedness

The emotions lead to different actions;

indebtedness can motivate the recipient of

the aid to avoid the person who has helped

them, whereas gratitude can motivate the

recipient to seek out their benefactor and to

improve their relationship with them.

(wikipedia)

Gratitude vs. Indebtedness

Indebtedness causes you to move away from those who help you!

Gratitude causes you to move toward those who help you!

When you help someone, do it FREELY so you don’t drive them away!!!

Not Everyone Will be Grateful..

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant,

abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, (2

Tim 3:2)

But, the grateful really shines!

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be

blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in

the world. Philippians 2:14-15

Let’s talk about Complaining

Untold suffering seldom is.  ~Franklin P. Jones

The First Man Complained when Confronted

It’s amazing what we find to complain about…

"The beach was too sandy!”

Did you hear the joke about the monk who quit the monastery?

The monk had taken a vow of silence…

Every seven years he could say two words to his superior.

After the first seven, here’s what he said…

Text

Food’s Bad!Seven more years and…

Text

Bed’s Hard!Seven more years and…

“I QUIT!”“I’m not surprised, all you have done is complain since

you arrived!”, said the Abbot

Optimists see: A glass half full.

Pessimists see: A glass half empty.

The grateful person simply gives thanks!

Read how God really feels about complaining…

Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; for the Lord heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the Lord burned among them, and consumed some in

the outskirts of the camp. Numbers 11:1

Have you heard about Will Bowen

A Complaint Free World

He had a 21 day challenge to not complain, not a bad idea!

1 Begin to wear the bracelet, on either wrist

2 When you catch yourself complaining, gossiping or criticizing (it’s ok, everyone does) move the bracelet to the other arm and begin again.

3 If you hear someone else who is wearing a bracelet complain, you may point out their need to switch the bracelet to the other arm; BUT if you’re going to do this, you must move your bracelet first!

4 Stay with it. It may take many months but when you reach 21 days you will find that your entire life is happier, more loving and more enjoyable.

The Rules for the Challenge

Here is the SECRET!

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.1 Thessalonians 5:18

(like the guy in the next slide…)

“You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the

concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book,

and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing,

boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in

the ink.” G. K. Chesterson

Gratitude is a needed ingredient in the formula

for happiness.

Happiness = Gratitude

Gratification

Happiness = Practicing Gratitude / Pursuing Gratification

Then there’s this guy… He’s like gratitude personified!

(He even got the girl!) Don’t you love Gratitude?

Gratitude PracticeExercise - At the end of everyday write down 3-5 things you appreciate.

For each item ask yourself, “How does that make me feel?” And feel it, let it touch you!

For each item ask yourself, “Who contributed to this for which I am grateful?” And extend your gratitude to them!

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