Although closely assigned in the dictionary, grateful and grating, don’t be mistaken. These are two similar words with two very opposite meanings and energies, creating two polar diverse life outcomes.
My friend and fellow author, John Brubaker, wrote a blog post about the flight team of the Blue Angels. After each show the pilots participate in an interview discussing their performance. As the microphone makes its way around each pilot shares his self- assessment, and ends with the statement, “Glad to be here”.
At first glance, this may appear as a stock ending to a required performance review, but in reality, it identifies the important mental disposition of each pilot. Working in a potentially deadly job, and having just landed after another successful mission, I have no doubt that these men and women are truly grateful to be there, safely on the ground.
Although our routines may not carry the danger filled acrobatics of the Blue Angels, we can still garner an important mindset. If we could just get in the habit of saying, thinking, and reciting “Glad to be here”, in every set of circumstances, it will help us put things in the bigger perspective.
Things might not be going the way we want them to go but “Glad to be here”.
Things might be just as wonderful as we ever dreamed they would be, “Glad to be here”.
Whatever our situations we need to carry around and radiate out to everyone we meet in every circumstance that we are “Glad to be here”, no matter what.
When we are filled with gratitude there is little room for want. There is no space for the whiner that tends to appear when we tend to compare ourselves to others.
When we articulate the fullness in our lives, we focus on what we do have, with appreciation. It changes our whole outlook from one of want and need to appreciation and contentment.
In moving from “give me” to “thank you”, we make room for happiness and self- fulfillment in our present state.
Although closely assigned in the dictionary, don’t get mixed up. In moving from “grating” to “grateful” you open up not only your own joy, but also the happiness and excitement of those around you. Don’t forget, “Glad to be here” and those around you will feel the positive energy and be really glad that you are there also!
What keeps you in a grateful state?
