Gratitude makes for a great attitude
Last year I made a commitment to stop whining about winter. I dreaded winter every year because I don’t like the cold, dark days it brings. I prefer the warm, long, sunny days of summer. God began to convict me of my sour attitude and I vowed to change. After all, He made winter and it has its purpose. Who was I to grumble about it? So I made a list of everything that was special about winter and even blogged about it here on my site.
This year, as winter rolled around, to my surprise, I wasn’t dreading it! While in years past, I became depressed because of the approaching winter, this year I’m naturally accepting it and am even looking forward to those cozy evenings by candlelight.
What a difference a change of attitude makes
By forcing myself to think about and appreciate the wonderful attributes of winter, my mindset has changed and now I naturally appreciate it – without a struggle! I’m no longer dreading the cold or even the sometimes endless gray days that December through February bring.
I wonder where else in my life that I need to make the mental change from complaining to appreciating.
If you find yourself constantly complaining or dreading something or someone in your life, especially if it is something you cannot change, try listing out all the good that that situation or person brings to your life and focus on that instead. Be grateful and thank God for those things. Perhaps you too will be surprised at how much your attitude will change toward that person or situation.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8
Duking Out Life 