Being a young man sucks. In today’s world of inflation and globalization, it probably sucks being a young woman too. It’s a lot of work being young right now, and pretty much nobody gives a shit about you or what you’re going through unless you’re from a good (read: large, well-off, and caring) family. And you still have to work. If you don’t do any work as young man, you won’t be able to create anything in the future, and as a result, you won’t be able to help anyone. So, you have to figure out a way to push through and do what needs to be done. People make this happen via a variety of ways. Some people have hobbies, other people have distractions. Some people use drugs and alcohol to cope. I think gratitude is what will get you farthest. The concept of “being grateful” is a constant refrain amongst older and more religious people for a reason. It just works for some strange reason. Lots of people look for happiness, pleasure, and meaning. In my experience, those who are always grateful are the happiest.
Pleasure is momentary, gratitude is lasting
Gratitude isn’t permanent. The things you can and should feel grateful for are likely to change every single year. But gratitude is lasting. If there’s something to be grateful for, you can be grateful for it as long as it is around. Pleasure lasts only as long as you can feel it for. Once you’re experience a negative emotion, you’re no longer experience pleasure. You can be grateful even if you’re feeling sad. Usually, if you’re grateful enough, you’ll feel less sad.
Be grateful for your health
Without health we don’t get to enjoy anything. This is the case even if one isn’t terminally ill. Being sick sucks. When we’re healthy, we live well and we live long. If you’re at all close to healthy then you should pray to God and give thanks. You get to enjoy your time on Earth. Now you just need to make the conscious choice to go for what you want in life. Take advantage of your good health. Do something.
Be grateful for your abilities
Even if you have nothing, you have your skills and your knowledge. My grandmother is always talking about portable wealth. She came to Canada with $50 in her mid 30s and was able to send her kids to college and private school, all while retiring on time. If you know stuff or have talent, it doesn’t matter what’s happening in your life. You can always bounce back if you’re honest and clearheaded. Be grateful for any gift or talent you have.
Be grateful for the little things (and people)
If you have time to read this far into my article, then there are probably a lot of small things in your life that you can be grateful for. If you live in a big city, you can be grateful for some of the good people around you. If you live in a rural area, you can be grateful for the scenery. If you live with family, you can be grateful for them. If you live alone, you can be grateful for your home or some aspect of it. Do you have a balcony? Is your place particularly warm? Maybe it’s close to a nice Pizza shop. There’s a lot to be grateful for if you look around.
Gratitude is what’s taken me from being a struggling young writer without a clue, to the owner of budding, fast-growing website. I spent a lot of nights working. I spent a lot of nights wondering if I had made a mistake. I spent a lot of time wondering how I was going to make my dream of living overseas happen. Now? I’m well on track to find myself living in the country of my dreams and creating a reasonably good living in it. I’m grateful for my situation now, even if it’s still a bit precarious. My work isn’t done yet. But things have been improving because I’ve always been grateful. Gratitude destroys entitlement, and it allows you to work hard and do your work well. If you’re down and out and want to improve your life, I suggest that you look into increasing your levels of gratitude. You’ll be a lot more motivated and happier. The easiest way to increase your levels of gratitude is to pray to God. Whenever you pray, thank him for what you have, and ask him for more of the same. If you try to live in a moral manner, luck should be in your favor.
Thanks for paying attention.
