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I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13 (The Apostle Paul, writing from prison)
Happy Parent Series
- Part 1: The Benefits of Gratitude
- Part 2: Four Powerful Ways to Practice Gratitude
- Part 3: THIS SHOW
- Part 4: Why Pleasure and Success Won’t Make You Happy
- Part 5: The Secret to Enduring Happiness
We can express thanks for all things and in all circumstances, even when our circumstances are challenging. Is this possible? Yes. In this third part of my gratitude podcast series, I’m thinking about how we can experience gratitude even in the chaos, setbacks, and frustrations of family life.
Here’s a breakdown of the show:
- Being Awake: Experiencing gratitude in tough times is often a matter of awareness. When you awaken to graces God offers through the setbacks and suffering of life (not despite them, but through them), you grow spiritually and emotionally, and your faith in God increases.
- Reality Check: Often we become resentful or miss the graces and gifts God is offering to us because we are looking the other way. Do we expect our life to be easy street? Do we think the happiness and blessings of life are waiting for us on the other side of the inconveniences or annoyances of raising a family? Do we on some level think we deserve more than we currently have?
- The Big Picture: Developing a habit of looking for graces and offering our gratitude increases our awareness of the way God is always active in our lives, how he always accompanies us on our parenting journey.
Resources
Finding True Happiness by Fr. Robert Spitzer. Book mentioned on show.