Image courtesy of SnoShuu
Recently I’ve been going through a transition period in my work life. I’ve mostly moved away from my computer consulting business and am now making the Internet my new office. Overall this is going amazingly well, but not without a few bumps in the road.
Both Liz and I knew that the first couple of months were going to be a little tight. No longer do I have the steady flow of business from my many local clients. Sure, the WWW is quickly taking up the slack, but not as quick as we’d like. Bills are being paid, but a few grocery items have to be left off the list. But this brings me strait to the point of this post. GRATITUDE!
This time of living off of less is really forcing us to appreciate what we already have. Not only that, but the few things we CAN afford are much sweater to the taste buds. I sit down on my old couch and watch some Internet TV on our LCD and think, “Aahh, this is the life. We have a roof over our heads, heat to keep us warm and a brand new episode of House.” (OK, that last part may not be exciting to everybody. 
)
The fact is, the more abundance we have, the more likely we will become focused on those things we DON’T have. Give me a chocolate chip cookie and I’ll savor every bite. Give me a whole PLATE of them and I’ll wish I had a brownie.
So this transition period has been a real blessing for both Liz and I. We truly feel that we’re better off because of it. We certainly look forward to future abundance, but hope to maintain our current flavor of appreciation. Life is just sweeter when we enjoy the blessings that have already been received.
Give yourself the gift of gratitude.
Not everyone is going through the same things at the same time. We just happend to be blessed with this life lesson over the last couple of weeks. But I think it’s certainly possible to create the mindset without the environment forcing it on you. So here are some ideas to help you gain a more grateful perspective on life.
- Give to those in need. We give 10% to our Church, but know that isn’t enough. It’s not about the amount, but the intentions. Find a family who’s financial needs exceed your own and then help them by sharing the fruits of your labor. Even buying a small bag of groceries for a poor family can make all the difference. And what it does for YOU, is clarify the blessings you already enjoy.
- Use what you already have. One thing we have found is that the less we can buy, the more we tend to get out of what we already have. Let’s take food for example. When we can’t add to our cupboards we are forced to use up those items that have been sitting in the WAY BACK. You know what I’m talking about…the cans of soup and rice and pasta, etc… But once again, I’ve found myself enjoying meals that much more. This kind of thing really forces you to look at something like a meal as a blessing and not something entitled to us. Entitlement is the ultimate disease for those looking for peace of mind and appreciation for the hand they’ve been dealt.
- Buy time. Another way of verbalizing this tip would be to say, ‘Save your money’, but buying time is actually more accurate. Realize two things and you’ll always be better off. 1: Time is our greatest resource. 2: It IS for sale. The more money you put away in savings, the less time you will have to spend making more money. Not to say that it’s THAT simple, but when we don’t save some of our money, we are often just letting it burn a whole in our pockets. We inevitably find SOMETHING to spend it on, whether we need that something or not.
- Turn your attention to those who deserve it. Everything is pining for our attention these days and it is our loved ones who often receive the least amount. Subconsciously we think that they can handle less because they love us and will understand, but what we’re really doing is neglecting them. And it is when we neglect our family and friends that we tend to become consumed with other, less important objects and activities. Gratitude feeds off of perfect priorities.
The fact is, the more we appreciate what we already have, the less likely we will frivolously spend our money. Enjoying life is cheaper than an ungrateful heart.
Isn’t it amazing to discover how much less it can take to live your life? Financial constraints can be a blessing in that regard, because they force the elimination of the superfluous. We can “safely” stop doing it or paying for it because we are tightening the belt, reverting to what’s meaningful. It’s a great way to be and a great way to stay, no matter the ups and downs of our finances. Great post, Eric.
Betsy Wuebker’s last blog post..PLAY OFFENSE WITH YOUR LIFE’S WORK
Well said. A good example of “less is more”.
Vincent Chow’s last blog post..Get 250GB Free File Hosting on File Dropper
Eric,
I look back at the early years of our marriage and reflect on the most difficult times as the best.
What I learned through them?
How to be creative with food and make it last. I could write the book 101 things to do with ground beef.
How to have simple fun with friends, potlucks and late games of cards.
How to survive on a card table as our kitchen table.
I could go on but I think I’ll turn this into a post of my own!
I’ve seen janitors happier than managers who make thousands of dollars more.
You will look back on these years with a smile.
Tess The Bold Life’s last blog post..40 Simple Ways to Save Money
Dude, it IS that simple. Time = Money. True that. Period, dot, end of sentence. What you make now, you don’t have to make later. You make enough of it, it starts making more for you. Then, my friend, time is yours.
Writer Dad’s last blog post..The Best Writer on the Net
I think this is a great post on living with less. I especially love your last point. How many people have said they would trade everything for one more day with someone they loved who had passed away? Time with those you love is so important!
Frances’s last blog post..How to Make a Major Life Change: Get Out of a Rut
This is becoming more forefront in my mind lately. “Have-to ” is becoming a bit of a monster.
Corey’s last blog post..Barack’s Racism Play Change
@Betsy: I went to paste some of your comment in mine to show what part I liked, but then ended up with your whole comment on mine. Basically, well said! I really like the point of saying this is a great way to STAY. Not be for a time, but STAY.
@Vincent Chow: Thanks!
@Sean: You just shared the secret of the wealthy. True that!!!
@Frances: Exactly! Without our loved ones, what’s the point?
@Corey: Yep! Have-to is forcing us to change. But don’t you think for the better? I do. I guess it depends on how individuals react to the Have-tos. Eric
Good points – gratitude should be a key ingredient in pretty much anything really.
Julian’s last blog post..What I Learnt About Fear From Throwing People Off A Building
@Julian: Very true, very true… Eric
It’s something I really needed today. For me it’s mostly getting the whole family on board…although I think my dd is really grasping the whole “give to those who need”. I hope!
Hi Eric,
Being grateful definitely help to let us focus on the present and also help to maintain ourselves in a positive state of mind. Great article Eric.
Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger
Vincent’s last blog post..10 Tips To Help You Sleep Better
@Dawn: Definitely! Without the team you’ll never win. I hope the best and if all else fails, just get everyone to read this blog.
@Vincent: Thanks, Vincent.
@Tess: You make some excellent points here. Especially the janitor happier than manager sentence. So much of life is about perspective, not profit. I think that the more we have the easier it is to lose that healthy perspective. So yes, Liz and I should really appreciate these years as they will quickly disappear and we will only be able to look back on them as ‘remember whens’. Eric
This post was highlighted in the January 23 edition of Gratitude Watch.
Thank you for promoting the value of gratitude.
@Daniel: Thanks, Daniel, for highlighting my writing. Eric
I really appreciate this post. Thanks so much for writing, posting, and living it Eric.
Loved this quote: “Enjoying life is cheaper than an ungrateful heart”.
As well as saving us time, money and stress, gratitude opens up so many possibilities, and grateful people are so much nicer to be around too!
All the best,
Ian.