Gratitude, often goes amiss, considering Our Overly Complex Lives, having too much stuff, and being swayed away from things Most Important in Life… (10/4/18)

Look around in Our Society as we seemingly Progress… Or are we?… And for what reasons? … Is this a Good thing, or is it Quite the Opposite and a bad thing? … What are we are doing to Ourselves?

In some locations more than others, we have too much. I live in Southern Cal.  And Yes generally speaking, we do have too much stuff.  As a result, we often don’t seem to be as Appreciative or Grateful of things as we should be… losing sight of the Important things in Life and the “Big Picture” I call IT.  The Complexities of Life, and with all that stuff, seems to have blinded us… But this state of affairs is not only happening in So. Cal…

Several areas within the Book’s section 4, I address “Gratitude”… its Importance, and the lack there of, at times or in places.

In Book’s section 4.3 (Live Life from the Heart, Humble, and with inner Child Like Exuberance), I state:

“Try to Live your Life with the attitude of a child, taking in the present moments, the special moments, our surroundings & nature, and the simple things with inner Child-like Exuberance and Enthusiasm.  Otherwise, we turn old and grumpy :); what fun is that?  And if you believe in God/Jesus and the Bible, to get to heaven you need to approach things like that of a child.  And where do we prepare for heaven?  Well, simple – here on earth.  So, live your Life day to day and Feel the excitement, energy, and Enthusiasm of Life (like that of a child).  A YouTube link that I have included in section 7 (on Gratitude), really demonstrates much of what has been written here in section 4.  It is so refreshing and it is so fitting for this section as well as the whole Book.”

Per Book’s section 4.4. (Simplifying Your Life & Putting this section 4 Belief System in Perspective):

“Based on what I have experienced, observed, and what I have written in section 4, the demographic nature of our population, the relative amount of $s in the populace, and the related complexities of life are directly proportional to the extent of our negative thinking ways and hence our Anxieties and Depression.  As you read in this section 4.4, when I had to alter my Life more by way vs. by will (initially), with fewer $s in my pocket and all, requiring me to simplify my Life, this allowed me the luxury and time to better understand and observe what is Most Important in Life; i.e. the Simple/Basic Things but yet the Perfect things which were provided to us, or in other words The Big Picture really and the resultant Gratitude For All This.  Living in Southern California and coming across different People and Cultures makes a related general observation fairly easy to see.  People and Cultures which are poorer by today’s standards ($ wise), appear to be richer in thought actually, and therefore seem to be less prone to the extent of the problems with negative thinking ways and Anxiety and Depression, when compared to the rich ($ wise) community and people.  Yeah, location, location, location does drive up the values of our real estate prices and $ wealth, but unfortunately increases problems with our negative thinking ways and Anxiety and Depression.”

Continuing in section 4.4: 

“What is really sad is when I am down at the Beach and I see people who seem more interested in their cell phones, or the plane flying over-head, or the cigarette boat speeding across the waters, or a new structure being built by the beach, and seemingly not being Grateful/Appreciative, and in tune with the Beauties of their surroundings and the Big Picture.  Today I was walking along and found a Starfish on the beach, which was alive and I picked it up to throw it back in the water.  I did that to a number of them that day since we were having some turbulent waters after a storm and that, I guess, is typical of a turbulent ocean at times.  Understandably, those Starfish I don’t think would make it anyway, but I would do that nonetheless.  When I had this particular one in hand, a young lady was walking by at the time with her cell phone but not talking on it, and so I showed her the Starfish I had in hand.  She looked at me – and I think she said “whatever” or something similar but I could hardly believe my ears.  Wow, I laughed, but then thought, how Very Sad — OMG!  I do understand that some people bring themselves down to the Beach to clear their minds of problems in their lives at times, as you see some buried in their thoughts, looking somber/sad and all… Yeah, Life is and can be Tough!! But, seriously the others that are floating around in their trivial/superficial lives, not even acknowledging that there may be something bigger than they are or what they are doing, well, that is so wrong! “

Continuing in section 4.4: 

“Regarding the Big Picture: I think a Real Good Way to start seeing and feeling this from an individual perspective, is, first of all go out and look up and around and notice what was provided to us without those cell phones in hand (as previously mentioned)!  Be Gracious and Appreciative of all that was provided to us.  Tune into that YouTube link on Gratitude, included towards the end of section 7!”

As I address as Food for thought for Families which at times, seem to be in a state of disarray, not communicating as they should, buried in their cell phones, seemingly growing apart, and getting way too caught up in too many trivial matters… As stated, At least once a week: …………. Venture off into nature, off the beatin track in essense …

“3)  Give yourself like 2 hours minimum to walk and talk and communicate with each other, stretching those vocal chords, and take in the surroundings Mindfully, and The Big Picture; think/contemplate Gratitude! Go one step further and go camping for the weekend sometime minus that internet connection and texting capability and Bond.  

Tune those “Mindful and Be Grateful” senses in if you need to, beforehand, by watching that YouTube link in section 7.  That would be a True Motivator I would think.”

And As I finalize in the Book’s section 7:

“I included a YouTube link below, provided to me from a loved one, that was so refreshing and fitting that I had to include it at the tail end of this Book. This YouTube link is by far my favorite, especially since I really understand its True Meaning upon Recovery from Anxiety & Depression.   This link is entitled “Gratitude” and it points to the Way Our Attitudes Should Be Toward Living, Life, and Being Grateful in the process.  The storyline could be identified as, every day in Life is like a fingerprint, where each day is different than any other day.  Live Life with inner child-like exuberance, and be Thankful/Grateful for each day we have.  Consume the beauties that surround us, including the environment, and the people that surround us.  In effect this is a reflection of all aspects of what has been provided to you in this Book and the awareness we can achieve, as we reap the Benefits of Recovery.  Enjoy! 

Life Is Good!

• http://www.YouTube.com/watch_popup?v=gXDMoiEkyuQ&vq=medium
• Or you can Google for YouTube link: “Gratitude: Louie Schwartzberg at TEDxSF – YouTube””

 Tune In All!  Be Grateful in Life, & :) !

Ron