I was talking with some friends last week about being grateful. We agreed that being grateful is a good thing, and helps us become better people. We also recognized that our feelings of gratitude, which tend to be strongest when we take the time to reflect, often do not get translated into our actions. We may see ourselves as being very fortunate, when we take the time to appreciate it, but we generally do not pass the benefits of that good fortune on to others. We tend to think we deserve the good things we receive, and to hold onto them. We also tend to think that it is unfair when things happen to us that we perceive as unfortunate.
I know this is true for me. When I am given an opportunity to grow, I tend to see it as filled with obstacles to overcome and problems to solve, not lessons to learn. I am apparently very good at seeing my own worst case scenario.
At the same time, I am also adept at discounting the pain and suffering of others. I can see pictures of terrible things that happen in other places, even places where I actually know people, and not do anything to respond. I cannot help but see the connection to my ability to believe that I deserve the good things that happen to me and hold onto them.
This is particularly important for us as leaders. It can be challenging for us to remember that we may not earn the great things that we receive through our efforts alone. It can be difficult for us to appreciate that we may not be the only people who truly care enough to deserve to succeed. It is often hard for us to remember that what we receive increases our ability to respond to those in greater need, not our ability to avoid seeing that need.
What makes you the most grateful? Is there anyone you would like to thank?
[Image by gisele13]
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