Happiness, Gratitude

"Happiness does not make us grateful; Gratefulness makes us happy".  These profound words by Miya Goodrich are thought provoking.

She shares her insights from a life of alcohol, lack of sleep, depression and chaos.  She was later diagnosed to have breast cancer.  That realisation woke her up to appreciate her life more before she no longer had life.

She wrote "I think sometimes in life we walk around with the illusion we’re in control. To some degree we are, but when faced with an illness you can very quickly be brought to your knees."

I think she is right.  It does frustrate us to realise that we are not in control, but life is like that.  In my opinion, we need God because we don't have control over the situations and circumstances around us.  I do not know if Goodrich believes in God though.

She also said that "we have a tendency to take life for granted."

I agree with this point also.  This is why we feel inadequate when we are sick, or poor, or hit with calamities and disasters that we cannot handle.  This is another reason we need God.

When we cease to take things for granted, when we realise that we do not deserve anything in life, it is at these times that we feel grateful for the blessings and the life that we have been given.  And we can be grateful for it.  But when we take everything for granted and are happy because of it, then we feel sad when we lose it.

I have two friends who both got distinctions for a subject that we did together.  One was happy.  The distinction was above her expectations.  The other was sad.  He thought that he must have done badly in the final assessment component for him to not have had a better grade.  They both got distinctions!

I think it is a matter of perspective.  Don't you?

What do you believe?  Does your outlook on life give you much gratefulness and happiness?  What do you look for in life?  Do you take health and happiness for granted?  Is God in the picture for you?