Give thanks for EVERY experience you've ever had...

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Look upon every experience you've ever had, and everyone who's ever played a role in your life, as having come to you for your benefit.

People genarally express how proud they are of WHO THEY ARE. Then they go to great lengths to complain about all the things that happen to them. And, when they can't think of something personal to grouse about, they resort to what they perceive are Universally accepted gripes. "You can't fight City Hall," "Nobody cares," and "You've got to look out for number one!" These perceived Universal gripes show up mostly when we're not sure if our attitudes are shared or will be well received. We probe to see if the listener is negative too. We save the "Life sucks and then you die," comments for such situations, when our Ego wants us to add something that appears clever and sage simultaneously, something bold enough to prevent rejection.

What a comment on our culture that we routinely use words like, pathetic, pitiful, feeble, sad, sorry when we are in the presence of people we just met. Why is it that we feel that a negative comment will have a better chance of finding agreement, of acceptance and help us bond with new acquaintances? Do we think being negative raises our status and makes us appear above it all? God sends us nothing but angels and this is the first experience you want to give them?

Everything and everybody comes to you for only one reason, so you can decide WHO YOU REALLY ARE in relation to them. That's it. Every act is an act of self-definition. Everything you do defines who you are. Whatever you experience gives you a clearer view of yourself by comparison, through what you decide to think, say and do with it. So give thanks for everything! If you suffered at the hands of a violent parent, give thanks! If your family was highly prejudiced and hateful, give thanks! If you grew up dirt poor, give thanks! All of these taught you. Through these you learned and decided who you are...

Stop complaining. You like who you are, right? If you don't, change that right now, right this instant. Don't complain and thus give energy to the negative, CHEER for all you now know! BEcome a champion of WHO YOU ARE! Strive to BE "the greatest version of the grandest vision of yourself" (Walsch) you can imagine. Use each and every experience of your life as wind beneath your wings, and you will not only lift your own spirit, but the spirits of all those around you...

Today, notice how often you and others reach for connection through negativity or commiseration. Ask yourself if you want to continue down that path. Do you want to reinforce this in your culture, or do you want supplant "attitude" with gratitude? Look upon every experience you've ever had, and everyone who's ever played a role in your life, as having come to you for your benefit, for they have...

Duffy