Key to a Happy Life

I have come to realize in my life that I want to have a grateful heart above all else. This is my own personal want. I would like to teach my children to have a grateful heart also but how does a parent do this. You tell a child to say "thank You" or to be happy with what they have, etc. But true gratefulness aren't just words. One person can not tell another to "feel" grateful. So how does one "teach" this. I myself struggle with this. An example of ungratefulness in my own heart can be seen in an even that took place this morning. Andy leaves for work. Calls me when he gets there to tell me he had to take my car. Why didn't he tell me this before he left so I could drive him. He had no time...he was running late. But the girls have karate. There is something wrong with his breaks, it could not be helped. But I had something I wanted to do. Can not drive with bad breaks, there is nothing to be done right now. But I have to tell the girls they are stuck in the house and no karate. It has to be. I feel ashamed of myself. My husband leaves before the light of day Monday through Friday to work a job he really hates, with a knee that causes him constant pain and to a boss that really gives him a hard time. He does this day after day so that we have the money to own these cars. I am being very ungrateful. I will explain all of this to the girls, even my own personal reactions, and hope that they can find it in there hearts to understand and to be grateful for what there father does and for all we have. Life can be so hard but in the end all I can do is try my best to raise them to understand.

I leave this post with some quotes......

Brother David Steindl-Rast :
Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy -- because we will always want to have something else or something more.

A thankful person is thankful under all circumstances. A complaining soul complains even in paradise. – Baha'u'llah, founder of the Baha'i Faith

As life becomes harder and more threatening, it also becomes richer, because the fewer expectations we have, the more good things of life become unexpected gifts that we accept with gratitude.– Etty Hillesum, Dutch Jewish writer known for her diaries and correspondence from Westerbork concentration camp

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;-The Bible Phil 4:6 NKJV