Gratitude's opposite--greed--is the vision that everything is to be "gotten." The vision that is spirituality warns that greed and misery go hand in hand. Misery arises inevitably from the belief that we are in control, that we can control everything, and that anything we have, we deserve. Misery is the mind-set that we must get and get and get; it is the yearning for more, the push to acquire more, win more, own more, have more. Misery is misery because it does not know the meaning of enough. Those who lack gratitude's vision do not possess things; things possess them. The Spirituality of Imperfection, pp 180.
"To those who have, more will be given." An attitude is s a posture, and when I am grateful, I can receive. Humility is, in part, gratefulness.
This doesn't just apply to wanting to get more "tangible things"...Personally, I could apply this to a greed for acceptance, appreciation, recognition...pretty soon I can easily find myself completely ungrateful for the minute blessings in my life.
Thanks again for quoting from the Spirituality of Imperfection. Marvelous book.
Hey, you two. I absolutely LOVE this book! Fully one third of it is about Alcoholics Anonymous and the "we helping us," concept, and the definitions of the pieces of spirituality really ring true for me. I've already marked it all up--much like the "Conversations," book, and all the others. I wish someone had told me about this Spirituality crap a few years ago! LOL
I was wondering if it's almost the same sort of thing for those who always want lots of material things as it is for us who wanted more and more of alcohol.Does always wanting a lot of material things and not been able to get anything good enough with out always striving for more and more mean a lack of spirituality or a lack of self esteem? I know of someone (and this is not taking inventory just stating a fact) that has a HUGE home,best of everything in it but always wanting more and better and is never satisfied with what they have. Just wondering .
Not being satisfied means I have emptied my soul of gratitude. When I'm grateful my faith is being exercised and exposed. When I'm happy for others who have more than me, my gratitude for all I have is being fulfilled. When I see others who have less then me my heart is filled with compassion and a deep thankfulness for all my blessings. When I'm grateful instead of greedy I can live in peace.
"He who dies with the most toys doesn't necessarily qualify you as a winner."
