A friend once told me she saw people as being in one of two categories: those who were appreciative of what was in their life and those who felt like they never had enough. The "never enoughers” as she called them, were always seeking more, no matter how much they already had. They were like hungry ghosts, greedy to get more money, more power, more sex, more of everything, and the sad part was that they were never satisfied. They ate more than was good for them, had affairs that damaged their relationships, bought stuff they did not need, and traveled the world to trying to fill an internal void. Some built huge corporations, started wars, and looked for ways to fill their pockets without regard for others or the environment. She believed that what created their void was really irrelevant, that the why didn’t matter. What was important was how it operated and how the person thought and felt and acted so that small changes could open paths that might lead to satisfaction.
Our consumer society feeds the “never enough” syndrome. Media bombards us with advertisements for the latest products, new cars, fast food, travel adventures, and new medications to make us feel better. We are mightily encouraged to think that happiness comes from external purchases rather than any inner awareness or connection, so it can be challenging to change this pattern of thought. One effective way to begin that change is with the practice of gratitude. And, as with any new practice, it can be helpful to start small, so perhaps once a day think of something that truly enhances your life, maybe even write it down and start a list. As your list grows, take a few minutes daily to unplug from the media and review your inner thoughts about the blessings you already have. Appreciate simple things as well as complicated ones: a flower, the beauty of sunrise and sunset, the caress of a breeze, your home, your garden, a tree, the loving nudge of a beloved pet, special people in your life, your ability to walk, to think, to feel, to see, to hear. The more you open your heart to appreciate what is around you, the more gratitude you will have to share, so pass it on and express your appreciation to other people. Allow it to be a way to nourish yourself and the world. If we had more appreciation and less greed perhaps both our personal world and the larger world would be a cleaner, safer, happier place.
Our consumer society feeds the “never enough” syndrome. Media bombards us with advertisements for the latest products, new cars, fast food, travel adventures, and new medications to make us feel better. We are mightily encouraged to think that happiness comes from external purchases rather than any inner awareness or connection, so it can be challenging to change this pattern of thought. One effective way to begin that change is with the practice of gratitude. And, as with any new practice, it can be helpful to start small, so perhaps once a day think of something that truly enhances your life, maybe even write it down and start a list. As your list grows, take a few minutes daily to unplug from the media and review your inner thoughts about the blessings you already have. Appreciate simple things as well as complicated ones: a flower, the beauty of sunrise and sunset, the caress of a breeze, your home, your garden, a tree, the loving nudge of a beloved pet, special people in your life, your ability to walk, to think, to feel, to see, to hear. The more you open your heart to appreciate what is around you, the more gratitude you will have to share, so pass it on and express your appreciation to other people. Allow it to be a way to nourish yourself and the world. If we had more appreciation and less greed perhaps both our personal world and the larger world would be a cleaner, safer, happier place.
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