Gratitude Part 2

“There are two ways to get enough: one is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less.: —G.K. Chesterton

I love this quote and have been using it in my signature line. Most of the quotes I use are ones I need to hear and be reminded of. If they help someone else, that’s great, too. But for me, I need to know there is more than one way to get enough. And the easiest is not to acquire more, but to desire less.

I’m celebrating my birthday today (58, but I don’t look a day over 57), and I look around my office and see all the things I’ve accumulated. I’m grateful to have all these material things, but I’m learning to desire less. I’ve always been into new electronic gadgets, and I love my iPods (yes, more than one) and computers (also plural). I’m thrilled to have all these toys, but like a kid (58-year-old kid) I tire of them quickly and look for the newest, greatest, -most-to-be-coveted trinket on the block.

What an impact Chesterton’s quote is having on my life now. I desire less, learn to enjoy what I have, and—here’s where the gratitude part comes in—I’m grateful for the gifts. Not that I don’t have my moments. I do. I can get tired and crabby, and forget all of the wonderful things God has provided for me.

But it’s a learning curve, and I’m happy to say my gratitude chart is showing upward progress. I’m grateful that it’s not a pass-fail test, and I’m grateful to be learning it even though it’s come closer to the end of my life.

But, I’m happy to say, this old dog is still learning new tricks.