We live in a time of uncertainty. We have groups fueling division, distrust, and destruction in our communities. The dollar doesn’t stretch as far as it did a few years ago. Everything you need has gone up in price. There are more people in our country than ever before, which is a strain on our resources and infostructure. Impatience with one another fuels overreactions and anger. It would be easy to fall prey to these circumstances and challenges. It would be easy to have your heart hardened and a mind of sadness and despair. The great news is that you have a choice. Every day you have the opportunity to make the choice to be thankful and kind regardless of your life’s challenges. With a thankful spirit comes great rewards.
Ultimately, your life and its outcomes are a result of your reaction to your circumstances. Why do people find Nick Vujicic so inspiring? Vujicic is a an Australian-American Christian evangelist and motivational speaker. He was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, which is a disorder characterized by the absence of arms and legs. While Vujicic’s parents struggled early with his condition, they raised him to look at the bright side of life. Today, Vujicic is one of the biggest motivational speakers in the world. He is an international bestselling author, entrepreneur, investor, producer, and actor. He is known as an expert on resilience and teaching others how to reframe their challenges.
Mr. Vujicic has traveled to 78 countries and presented to crowds as large as 800,000 people. With no arms and no legs, he lives a life full of purpose and joy. In his book, “Life Without Limits,” Vujicic helps readers realize a life of fulfillment and happiness.
As you see the interactions of our children and young adults in society, do you see a trend for thankfulness or entitlement? In my view I see both, but an increasing movement toward entitlement seems to surface most. Where does that mindset come from? Is it a taught behavior or is it a learned behavior through watching the actions of our teachers, parents, and leaders? If we can all choose to have a thankful spirit, we will reveal so many unseen blessings and it will lead us to a happier life.
I think it is imperative that as adults we lead by example. In the Christian faith, we are taught in God’s Word about having a thankful spirit. The Apostle Paul is one of the greatest missionaries in the history of mankind. In one of his letters of the Bible he wrote, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV)
It is my goal as a parent to help my children learn to have a thankful spirit in the midst of all circumstances. No matter where you turn there is always someone with less or someone who is suffering more. If our heart is focused on our own selfish desires, it is not open to show compassion or help for those around us that need it. The more thankful we are and giving we are to others the more joy we will experience.
When we live our lives with an unthankful spirit we will never be satisfied or feel complete. There will forever be an emptiness feeling inside. Need an example? Look at some of the wealthy celebrities. Fame, success, large mansions, and money do not fill the void of an unthankful spirit. They want more despite having so much. Marriage is often just a dating scene for them and drugs or alcohol is just a temporary escape from reality.
When I take reference from the writings of the Apostle Paul, I am referring to an ordinary man who walked the same earth you and I do now. The only difference is that he had less. Compared to most of us he had less possessions, less comforts, less freedoms, and was under continuous scrutiny and prosecution. He was a man who gave up everything he had, suffered with ailments that were never cured, and who was punished and put to death just for sharing his faith. By the way, he did so willing by his own accord in order to serve the God who gave him eternal life. (John 3:16 ESV) So for him to write, “to give thanks in all circumstances,” when he suffered worse conditions than most of us will ever see is an amazing testament and a teachable moment.
So, how do we help our children choose a thankful spirit? I think this starts with us. I struggle every day to be a better parent. What I have learned in my short 18 years of parenting is that my children seem to learn more when I lead them by example. If we as adults choose to have a thankful spirit, then our children will begin to learn it, too.
As an adult, where do you get your inspiration to choose a thankful spirit in all your circumstances? Does it come from the world? Does it come from the celebrities you watch? Does it come from the books you read? Does it come from faith or religion? If we all choose to have a thankful spirit, we will begin to reap the benefits of a life more fulfilled with stronger, healthier, and happier relationships.
-by Brandon Crouch, DC
About the Author: Dr. Brandon Crouch is a Chiropractor with Crouch Family Chiropractic. He is an advocate for being proactive when it comes to your health and encourages people to make healthy, informed decisions. For more information or questions you can contact him online at: www.crouchfamilychiro.com or find him on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/CrouchFamilyChiropractic.
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