My inner Buddhist speaks

[cjsmith]

Every so often I am reminded to be grateful for the things I do not care about, do not want, and wouldn't spend money on.

I posted this in a comment elsewhere, but wanted to keep it here. There are many things -- mostly material objects -- for which I have no desire. To name simple examples, I don't "need" a Beanie Baby, the latest fashion in shoes, perfectly matching hardwood furniture, or the last episode of "The Apprentice". Because I don't care about getting them, I'm not unhappy about not having them.

For all the things I don't want, my lack of want is a blessing. The less I want, the happier I am. I am grateful.

Comments

[ambar.livejournal.com]

Perhaps you've already noticed this, but I've found gratitude practice to be extremely rewarding. (For example -- while driving to work in the morning, name everything you're grateful for. On bad mornings, you only have to name five. :-)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I'm MUCH better at this on good days than on days when I'm grumpy or irritable. On those days I tend to say to myself "To heck with this gratitude stuff, I'm gonna go open up a can of whup-ass!"

In other words I need a lot more practice. :-)