And I think those problems could be solved with gratitude.
I think everyone, on the whole, would be ten million times happier and more content if they were grateful for what they had and just tried not to complain or get angry or ticked. It IS good to treat people who wait on you at restaurants and stores kindly. It IS good to say "Thank you" to your Sunday school teachers and professors on your way out the door. It IS good to put on a happy face when someone does something nice for you, even if it's not the way you would have done it yourself.
Maybe it's not gratitude, but common sense? Beyond that, I think gratitude is a BIG verb. Get out there and show your appreciation. DO things for people!! Cookies may seem cliche, but MAN it's nice to get a plate from someone, don't you think? Give back to your community. I know I can do better with this - I'm not saying (in any way) that I'm some sort of standard. But I think even making a meal for friends, or making an effort to call someone can let them know how you love them.
And about "friendships" - let's look at the good things people do for us and for others and choose to look at those things and NOT choose to let them bring us down or find nit-picky complaints. Seriously. I know what it's like to be suspicious of my standing in a friendship at all times - wondering "Hmm...what have I done, now..." - and it's real, real lame.
None of us are perfect, right? So what gives us the right to complain about anything at all?
And I don't mean we shouldn't pout occasionally. I'm a girl. I know the deep, mystical, healing powers of the occasional pout. HOWEVER - endless grumbling gets real old. Real fast.
Maybe I'm crazy, but I feel like life is WAY too short, and there is NOT enough time and the earth is TOO beautiful to be ungrateful. Again, we're all trying to do the best we can. But I think I can say with a guarantee, even though I'm a lowly citizen of this universe, that if everyone would be thankful for what they've got, the world would be a better place!!!!!!!!!
I absolutely agree with you! I think you pretty much summed everything up for me, I have been trying to figure out what's wrong with our world and I believe people take advantage too often that they don't have time to appreciate the things they already have. It really is that simple to understand and you are right, it is common sense.
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