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Shake off gloom, count your blessings
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Published: March 22, 2009
The New York Times Magazine tells of Stanley Newberg, a man who loved America so much and wanted to make it better.
He did just that, and it took about 90 seconds.
Newberg immigrated to the United States in 1906, born of poor Austrian parents. He worked hard in real estate and manufacturing, did quite well, and when he died, his will held a surprise.
Newberg left $5.7 million dollars to the U.S. government with "deep gratitude for the privilege of residing and living in this kind of government — notwithstanding many of its inequities."
His estate was settled in 1994, and the money went to the U.S. Treasury, where it lasted about a minute and a half.
Are you donating your tax refund to the government this year? Probably not, but let's talk about Newberg's motive: gratitude.
During the past several weeks, after a combination of rainy skies and nonstop gloomy news, a sudden flash of insight lifted me from my funk.
Our focus is so fixed on how bad things are, what we don't have, and what we're having to cut back or cut out.
My insight was that, when we lift our eyes from this mess and wipe the bad-news gunk from our glasses, we see there is still so much to be grateful for.
I had been blind to this fact, for I was looking the wrong way.
Yes, times are difficult, but right now, it is your perspective that will sink you or see you through.
Think about it. More than 90 percent of us still have jobs; you have your health, your lights and heat; you haven't missed a meal; spring is taking Statesville by storm; and the world is fresh and new.
Granted, your 401(k) may have shrunk to a 201(k), but as John D. Rockefeller liked to say, "The poorest man I know is the man who has nothing but money."
Do this — I dare you — and do it right now. Write down three things that you're grateful for.
Then, when sitting in church, watching TV or playing with your kids, write down three more.
Next week, how about another three? Make it a habit.
When you have an inner focus, you join the BMW Club (Bellyache, Moan and Whine). Instead, direct your energy outward, to others. Many are much needier than you.
Even you and I are born in debt, says John Maxwell: "The instant we are born, we already owe someone for nine months of room and board ... and we never really pay that back."
The best way is to pay it to others, to those truly hungry, or without power or hope. You elevate yourself when you elevate others.
Says the Chinese proverb: "A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives you roses."
Stay Strong
In these trying times, some days will get you down, and some days simply hold the calendar together. Put others first, seek first to help than to be helped, and the most amazing blessings will sneak into your life, and theirs.
Thanksgiving Day comes once a year by law, but to the enlightened man or woman, it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow. Celebrate yours today.
Jeff Corbett has done public speaking across the Southeast for many years. He lives in Statesville and can be reached at jeff@speak-well.com.
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