With Gratitude

I recently gave a eulogy at the funeral service for an employee at my previous company. He was only 63 years old and worked as the evening security guard. Though he died relatively young, he was one of the most joyful people I’d ever met.

If I was working late, he would often stop by my office to check in as he was doing his rounds. We would chat about his family and how proud he was of his children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren. He would frequently tell me how fortunate he was to work for the company and how much he appreciated his job. He wasn’t just ‘sucking up’ to the boss, because he would say the same thing to any of the people that he met. On many occasions, he would ask if there was anything he could help with—deliver a package, stuff envelopes, move boxes, etc.

Although he had his own health issues, he would always ask how you were doing first. He worked multiple jobs and wasn’t much into physical exercise, but his attitude was always positive. He expressed his appreciation for all the wonderful aspects of his life—his family, his church, his job, and his community. He enjoyed positive relationships with everyone at the office—from the administrative staff to the executive level. He was consistently respectful and gracious, and brought a smile to the face of everyone that he encountered. He was a true gentleman.

After the funeral service, I wondered, “Who is truly living a life of wellness?”

• Is it the fast-paced business executive who works out feverishly at the gym every day and runs on the treadmill with the same extreme level of intensity that he exhibits at the office?
• Is it the regular attendee at Sunday services who forgets the message of love and tolerance toward others as soon as he leaves the church?
• Is it the all-natural, supplement-obsessed vegetarian who continually criticizes the food choices of others at mealtime while demonizing the food manufacturers?

I believe one of the keys to true well-being is to adopt a positive attitude, to recognize the many blessings in your life, and to openly express that gratitude and appreciation to others. Like a high-magnification mirror, the positive energy that you share with others comes back to you ten-fold.

At this time in the U.S., faced with so much unemployment, a record number of foreclosures, our military men and women still at war, and a log-jammed Congress unable to work together, it is easy to feel down and become cynical. Now, more than ever, we need to show gratitude for the many good things in our lives and to remain optimistic that we can find a way to solve these problems together as a nation. I’m not suggesting that we put on rose-colored glasses and ignore the current realities. However, to become resilient and overcome life’s challenges, we must look for the things that are working well in our lives and assume a more positive perspective. Like the former security guard, more frequent expressions of gratitude won’t make all the problems disappear, but they can enrich our lives and generate a deeper sense of well-being for everyone around us.