Choosing Gratitude: Learning to Love the Life You Have

In his latest book, Choosing Gratitude: Learning to Love the Life You Have, renowned author James A. Autry reminds us that gratitude is a choice, a spiritual-not social-process. Made evident as behavior, gratitude is not the behavior itself. We may automatically respond, "Thank you" or "Appreciate it" in the daily course of our lives. These are polite, conditioned responses, but they are not gratitude. Instead, gratitude is a way of living, a belief system, that means cultivating a spirit of thankfulness even through the negatives of life. It is remembering there will always be more reasons for gratitude than for despair.

In a society consumed by fears of not having "enough"-money, possessions, security, etc.-Autry suggests that if we cultivate gratitude as a way of being, we may not change the world and its ills, but we can change our response to the world. If we fill our lives with moments of gratitude, we will indeed love the life we have.

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Choosing Gratitude: Learning to Love the Life You Have

In his latest book, Choosing Gratitude: Learning to Love the Life You Have, renowned author James A. Autry reminds us that gratitude is a choice, a spiritual-not social-process. Made evident as behavior, gratitude is not the behavior itself. We may automatically respond, "Thank you" or "Appreciate it" in the daily course of our lives. These are polite, conditioned responses, but they are not gratitude. Instead, gratitude is a way of living, a belief system, that means cultivating a spirit of thankfulness even through the negatives of life. It is remembering there will always be more reasons for gratitude than for despair.

In a society consumed by fears of not having "enough"-money, possessions, security, etc.-Autry suggests that if we cultivate gratitude as a way of being, we may not change the world and its ills, but we can change our response to the world. If we fill our lives with moments of gratitude, we will indeed love the life we have.

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Choosing Gratitude: Learning to Love the Life You Have

Choosing Gratitude: Learning to Love the Life You Have

by James A Autry
Choosing Gratitude: Learning to Love the Life You Have

Choosing Gratitude: Learning to Love the Life You Have

by James A Autry

Paperback

$16.25 
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Overview

In his latest book, Choosing Gratitude: Learning to Love the Life You Have, renowned author James A. Autry reminds us that gratitude is a choice, a spiritual-not social-process. Made evident as behavior, gratitude is not the behavior itself. We may automatically respond, "Thank you" or "Appreciate it" in the daily course of our lives. These are polite, conditioned responses, but they are not gratitude. Instead, gratitude is a way of living, a belief system, that means cultivating a spirit of thankfulness even through the negatives of life. It is remembering there will always be more reasons for gratitude than for despair.

In a society consumed by fears of not having "enough"-money, possessions, security, etc.-Autry suggests that if we cultivate gratitude as a way of being, we may not change the world and its ills, but we can change our response to the world. If we fill our lives with moments of gratitude, we will indeed love the life we have.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781573126144
Publisher: Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Inc.
Publication date: 08/29/2012
Pages: 146
Product dimensions: 5.90(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.40(d)

Table of Contents

Preface xv

Introduction 1

Section 1 For One Thing and Another

The Gratitude Walk 7

The Trouble with Aging 11

Thanks for the Memory 15

A Visit to the White House 17

In Praise of Dog Parks 21

Teenage Magic 23

The Kindness of Strangers 27

Moments of Gratitude 32

Perhaps an Angel 32

Thinking of Biscuits 32

Poems 32

"Summer" 32

"Patience" 33

Section 2 For Family

Does Love Ever Die? 37

I'll Read this Again on Mothers Day 39

A Brother's Testimony 45

Something Like a Resurrection 47

Moment of Gratitude 49

Happy Boy 49

Poems 50

"Optimism" 50

"A Sentimental Poem" 51

Section 3 For Friends

Tribute to Old Friends 55

Friendship and the Blessing of Butterflies 61

Moment of Gratitude 63

Thank You Every Day 63

Poem 63

"Fellow Travelers" 63

Section 4 For Matters of the Spirit

Unexpected Gifts 67

An Invocation 71

The Unending Quest for Understanding 73

Moment of Gratitude 74

Old Hymns 74

Poems 75

"New Birth" 75

"Every Day a Blessing" 76

Section 5 For Those Who Serve

For Those Who Deserve Our Gratitude 79

To Serve and Protect 81

Gratitude for (Gasp!) Politicians 83

Moments of Gratitude 85

Unsung Hero 85

Bread upon the Waters 86

Poem 87

"Debts and Payments" 87

Section 6 For the Pain of Life

Gratitude and Grief 91

Facing Death with Gratitude 93

Living with Regret 103

Moment of Gratitude 105

Last Breath 105

Poems 106

"Disconnected" 106

"Ronald's Dance" 106

Section 7 The Gratitude Inventory

My Gratitude Inventory 109

Your Inventory 113

One Final Question 113

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