Be Grateful For What Is Available To You Now
“And every day, the world will drag you by the hand, yelling, ‘This is important! And this is important! And this is important! You need to worry about this! And this! And this!’” And each day, it’s up to you to yank your hand back, put it on your heart and say, “No. This is what’s important.” — Iain Thomas.
While it may not seem that way, you have everything you need to thrive. The mistaken belief is that we believe having more will help us get ahead in life. People think that if they had more money, better looks, a better job, or lived in a better area of town, they would be happy. However, everything comes with a price, and having more money means being responsible for managing larger sums. Therefore, if you don’t have the emotional intelligence to manage money, having more of it can pose problems. It is why thriving is a state of mind. The key is to appreciate what is in your life now by being grateful for the most minor things, because thriving is tied to appreciation, no matter its scale. It means knowing your life is bountiful as it is now.
I realise you have wants and needs, but you mustn’t allow them to overshadow what is available to you in the present moment. This is the basis of this entire article: being grateful for your goodness instead of focusing on what is lacking. I realise it is easy to focus on what is missing when your basic needs are met. For example, if you have a roof over your head, clothes to wear, and food on the table, your basic survival needs are met. However, millions of people do without these luxuries. Perhaps these necessities are not enough; we want more: money, fame, better relationships, or a successful career. However, history has shown people succeeded with the bare necessities.
How do you feel about this? Are you content with what you have, or do you constantly wish for more? For instance, several prominent companies today began operations in less-than-desirable conditions in their homes’ garages. In other words, something small can grow into something greater. You have all you need to thrive, but you believe it isn’t enough compared to those with plenty. But if you look behind the scenes of those you consider well off, you might find an emptiness and longing for something more profound than material luxuries. Whatever is plentiful in one area will be lacking in others. The root cause of suffering is failing to appreciate what is apparent in our lives and striving to fill the void.
How To Recognise Abundance and Prosperity
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style.” — Maya Angelou.
Underlying this want for more is the fear that someday your needs will no longer be met. Perhaps, your partner will fall out of love, you will run out of money and be homeless, or forced out of your job, or worse still, die. However, this is an illusion because your thoughts are focused on fear rather than on abundance and prosperity. Abundance and wealth do not mean being filthy rich; they mean recognising the abundant nature of your life. Having your basic needs met is an abundance. Half the world’s population lacks access to these luxuries and makes do with suboptimal conditions.
One need only look to the refugee crisis around the world, where people’s homes and basic needs are taken from them. For many refugees, not having food, water, and shelter makes up a significant change in circumstances. Yet, for someone living in a developed nation, this is a basic necessity often overlooked. If you hang your hopes on someone or something to provide for your happiness, you will always long for more. The moment you shift your awareness to what is bountiful, you move into gratitude for what is available to you now. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy better things. However, if you focus on what is lacking, you neglect to value the goodness in your life. Is this something you are comfortable with?
Happiness must not depend on constantly having your needs met. I assure you that not everything will go according to plan, and occasionally you will be disappointed. This is no less true when a partner leaves a relationship, leaving the other person to contemplate why it dissolved. However, over time, their broken hearts heal, and they soon find love again. This time, they recognise their partner is not the only source of their happiness, but someone who complements them. To appreciate what you have, focus on the source of your joy. Write down or recite what you are grateful for upon waking up or retiring to bed each night. A warm cup of coffee, a shower, a bed, family and friends to share a home with, living in a safe neighbourhood, a job that pays well, and an employer that appreciates you are the unlikeliest sources of happiness. These are essentials, which, when magnified, add to your sense of appreciation. From this place of awareness, you create better circumstances in which to thrive. Appreciation enriches your life with abundance and prosperity, as long as you recognise that it is always enough.
You Don’t Have To Handle Pressure Alone
If this piece mirrors the challenges you’re currently facing, it may be highlighting how you respond to pressure, change, or uncertainty. I work with professionals and leaders who want to think clearly under stress and move forward with strength and direction.
Tony Fahkry
Leadership & Performance Coach
