Sat With Ree: Gratitude

Do you believe that the happiest people aren't the ones who are successful, but the happiest people are those who are satisfied?

Satisfaction is really hard to achieve especially if you are surrounded with temptations. You thought that buying a new phone would make you feel satisfied because you already have the latest model. Then after just a few days, the newest phone model is again out in the market, so you want to buy it again because you think that it would make you feel satisfied again, and let's just say because you can afford it. Then the cycle continues. So, where's the satisfaction there? 

Being satisfied is having contentment with what you have and having a grateful heart. You know you can have more, but you are already contented with what's yours. You will always think that what you have is already enough. It's not that easy to find contentment especially if you are always comparing yourself to other people. Now with the presence of social media, people love to show off their newly bought something. And there you are, scrolling through your phone, admiring what they have, wishing that you could have it also or wishing that you could trade places with them.  Sometimes you envy what other people have, that's why you find ways to also own what they have even though you don't really need it. You can't find true happiness if you are always comparing yourself to others, or if you are just trying to impress others. We can only feel contented in life if we stop comparing ourselves to others. 

If you only look around you, you will realize that not everything is all about money and possessions. There are other reasons to be thankful for. There are people out there who also want the same things that you are only taking for granted. We are already blessed with everything that we need, but sometimes instead of appreciating what's already in front of us we tend to focus on the things that we think we're missing. God knows what we need before we even think we need them. We don't need to beg Him to give us those things because He will give them to us when it's about time.

You can be the richest person in the world, but be unhappy because you're still not contented with all that you have. You always crave for more. There are people who have less, yet they are happy because they are already satisfied with everything that they own. We have to learn how to appreciate what we have before we realize that they're  gone. We tend to overlook the things around us only to realize their true value once they're gone. Let us learn how to value things. We may not have the latest phone model, branded bags or shoes, or even a luxury car, but we can still be grateful. Sometimes the simple things in life are actually the big things that we usually take for granted. Things like when God wakes you up every morning, when you go to the kitchen you have a coffee to drink, when you go to work you don't get stuck in a heavy traffic, when someone opens the door for you, when someone thanked you because you brighten their day, having a lunch or dinner with your family, you and your loved ones are healthy and safe, you have a roof over your head, you can sleep comfortably and peacefully at night, you have a food in your table, and the list goes on and on.

May we always find it in our heart to appreciate everything that we have no matter how big or small. Especially this Christmas season, may we learn to be content with whatever gift that we receive, or whether we receive something or not. The amount of gift that we're going to receive doesn't really matter. It's always the thoughtfulness of the person who gives that we should be thankful. They go out of their way just to give you a present, so the least that you can do is to appreciate them. 

The truth is that presents aren't the most important thing, but instead it's the presence of our loved ones that we should be thankful. Let us cherish every moment with them. Let us never take them for granted. There are people out there who are longing for the presence of their loved ones, so while we have the chance let us enjoy every moment with them. Let us be grateful for their presence. 

Remember that this season is not about us, it's not about gifts, it is about our Saviour Jesus Christ. Let us always express our gratitude towards Him. He is the reason why we celebrate Christmas. Let us make it a habit to be grateful for everything that He gives us. All of the gifts that we receive are from Him. He only uses other people as an instrument to give them to us. If we know how to be grateful, we can learn how to be content. If we are contented, happiness will never be so hard to achieve. 

May we all have a meaningful Christmas, everyone. 

Ciao. 😊