Appreciate What You Have!

"Be thankful for what you have, you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." —Oprah Winfrey.

For most of us, it is really hard to appreciate what we have. Many time we don’t appreciate what we have because we are too focused on what we want. We tend to be critical of ourselves for being dark, fat, short, poor, helpless, never be able to do anything right, etc., Then, we end up furiously chasing our unrealistic dreams and spend very less time enjoying our life. That’s totally insane right?

There is a saying, “Stop and smell the roses.” It doesn’t mean to simply smell flowers, it means to live in the moment with a great appreciation for the present and the things around you.

Stop and appreciate what you have today.

I have a story to share. There was a rich guy who owned a Lamborghini and was telling his assistant that it would be really great if he owned a private jet, suddenly a man in a blue shirt passed by the Lamborghini, telling the rich guy that this was his dream car and he was lucky to have that! The rich guy was mouth shut and realized that he should be proud of what he has. Next, the man in the blue shirt went to his car and started shouting as I wish I had enough money to buy a Lamborghini car! A woman who was in her bicycle exclaimed that I ought to travel 15 miles to work by this bicycle and not a car which makes me feel comfortable! The man in the blue shirt felt that he has something which is valuable to others, but he never thought about it. This lady made him think to appreciate what he has. When the lady in the bicycle returned home, her legs started to pain so badly. She thought there was a need for a car. She stopped for a while to take rest where she saw another man in wheelchair who had no legs. That man said I can neither cycle nor walk like you. The woman in the bicycle asked then how do you stay happy? He replied that I got two arms!! The woman went pale and said thank you to that strange man.

Look at what you have with wider eyes, may be with more compassion.

Why do we chase behind the material things?

The only way to be contented is to appreciate what we have than thinking about what we don’t possess. So many of us live in an everlasting state of wanting more money, more new toys, more things. And we chase those material things with more pleasure than we hunt what’s been practically shown to increase happiness: more gratefulness. Take for example the material things, it is not going to come with you till the end! The only thing which lasts is the soul. So what is the use for us to buy all those stuffs? I ought to say it’s for showing off. Well I am not telling that you can’t have all the basic items you need.

So practice to appreciate what you have by the following ways:

~ Stop comparing yourself with others

~ Get to know someone who doesn't have what you have

~ Celebrate your strengths/positive qualities

~ Acknowledge your reality

~ Be happy

~ Live the moment

~ Spend time with loved ones

~ Practice gratitude and self-maintenance daily