I left the office, fuming with frustration, and headed home. I could feel the blood pounding in my ears. I got a glass of ice water and sat down with my journal, took a deep breath, took another one, and then wrote this out. I’m sharing because I hope this helps some others, too.
I want to acknowledge how ungrateful I am. I leave my office most days tired, frustrated, unsatisfied. I selfishly want so much more, most of the time, that I fail to remember how good I have it.
I am extraordinarily blessed with my wife, children, and extended family. I have handfuls of deep friendships.
Spiritually I am filthy rich in Christ Jesus, a citizen of heaven by grace, and able to rely upon the strength of the gospel day by day. I have nothing to fear because “the God of angel armies is by my side.”
I live a comfortable, affluent life. Kings of old could not imagine the conveniences we take for granted. I use more technology daily than sci-fi writers in 1950 wrote about. I’m in a generation that is living longer and healthier at older ages than any previous generation. I live in one of the freest, safest countries on earth.
Our travel options are so grand I could get to almost anywhere on the planet within 3 days of starting out. People the world over speak (or want to speak) my native language.
Intellectually I get to live in an idea-rich world, practically unlimited access to data, and I’ve benefited from 21 years of formal schooling and post-doctoral studies. I have the tools to capture and share my writing with others. I have meaningful work with smart, savvy, hard-working colleagues. We’re contributing to our company’s efforts to tackle a handful of the most important problems in the world, including feeding a growing world population.
I have abundant opportunities to serve others.
I have no reasons for complaints, none. I should have only room and energy for gratitude. Perhaps the most significant battle I get to fight (not need to, but get to) is the fight for joy and gratitude.
Thank you for your willingness to let the rest of us in on a glimpse of the imperfect Glenn. It’s fantastic when writers and bloggers can offer insights and tips about what other people should try; but I’m finding that intermingling our own “ugly pretty” reality allows the deepest connection to truth. Whenever we begin to think our life is unfair, we would all do well to step back and consider our focus, as you’ve done so beautifully here.
“Imperfect Glenn” is a regular guy :-). I agree that letting people see the unwanted, unvarnished truth is important for relational leadership. Thanks, Erik!
Great reminder to all of us, Glenn. We are so fortunate, but it is so easy to forget. You’re right – the fight for gratitude is the most important battle we partake in every single day.