BS”D
Gratitude is a muscle that needs to be developed. It takes work, and doesn’t often come naturally.
I spoke to a lady yesterday, who found herself in a cranky mood. She was exhausted since her baby had started waking up for the day at 5 am these last few weeks. Then she discovered him taking all the dirt out of her (newly germinated) balcony garden and throwing it everywhere in her living room. As she took him in the stroller for a change of scenery, she had a whole laundry list of complaints in her head. Starting with her baby throwing dirt and her being so tired from being woken up so early, and continued to other people and other areas of her life. One complaint seemed to lead to another…
But then, an amazing thing happened. She was reminded of this awesome teaching from Rebbe Nachman ztk’l that “a person should smile, especially when they don’t have anything to smile about, and G-d will give them a reason to smile.”
So, she forced herself to smile (when she really, truly, was not in the smiling mood). And the most amazing thing happened. Nothing miraculous, like a winning lottery ticket falling from the sky. But, she began to think of reasons to smile. Deciding to smile with this intention helped to stir within her the gratitude muscle that needed building.
She found herself starting with the obvious:
- I have a baby who throws dirt!? Wow, I have a baby!
- He is healthy!
- And curious!
- And interested in the world!
- And is fascinated in everything! That is a massive blessing!
- And, wow, I have legs that are working right now so I can take this walk!
- And, I have a bed waiting for me at home, that (whenever I have an opportunity) I will be able to rest comfortably!
- The sun is setting a beautiful shade of pink and orange!
It took work to get herself into a gratitude mindset, but once she did, one thing led to another. And even though she was still tired, she also felt energized and much calmer and happier.
Here is a shiur with great insights on the importance of living a life of gratitude and the meaning of the tefilla Nishmat Kol Chai: CLICK HERE
