My grandfather, who passed away in 2007, was always full of one line sayings that were so full of importance and meaning for me. He didn’t have to say a lot to, well, say a lot.
One of the lines that has always stayed with me is “we are lucky people”. He’d say it when our extended family was together to celebrate holidays. He’d say it when I talked to him on the phone. He’d say it after I beat him in a round of golf.
By saying “we are lucky people”, he wasn’t referring to luck in the sense of having wonderfully fortunate events or things fall into our laps. He said it to remind me and all of those around him how much we had to be thankful for and appreciate. It wasn’t about how much money any of us had, or how successful we were in school or jobs. It was about having so much more than those things – each other, friends and family and things that really matter to enjoy in life.
To me, when he said those words, he was really saying “I appreciate you and am glad to have you. And don’t forget to appreciate what you have too.”
I think of this a often. I tend to err on the side of annoyingly optimistic. I try to find the good and the happy in what is happening around me. I don’t focus on the negative a lot – although of course, as in anyone’s life, it’s there for the finding. Things don’t always go right, or turn out the way we planned. Whenever I find myself thinking too much about the negative, I remind myself that there is always a flip side, always something good I can focus on instead. It’s not always easy. But when I hear that wise voice saying “we are lucky people”, it’s a little bit easier.
Well said. Whenever I focus too much on the negative, I hear Bing Crosby’s voice in my head singing, “When I’m worried and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep,” and that helps me shift my perspective. Not as cool as having my grandfather say it, but pretty good nonetheless.
(By the way, the song’s from “White Christmas.” I’m not totally crazy.)
SavvyChristine´s last blog post..Weekend Warrior: Combating To-do List Stress
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You just reminded me of something my Grandma used to say when the whole family was together. She would always get this sweet, contented smile on her dear face and say “we are so rich”. She wasn’t talking about money, and she was right. I’ve kept that phrase close to my heart. With all the negative we can’t seem to get away from these days it’s good to remember that bit of wisdom.
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my mom always said “think positive”.
Denise´s last blog post..it’s not the same
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Such a nice post. It’s hard to remember the good sometimes, but there’s way more good in our lives than bad.
Lindsay´s last blog post..Design of the Times
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These are important lessons for us to remember, especially in times like today!
Kim´s last blog post..Kids in the Kitchen
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I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now and your posts are always so insightful and wonderfully written. Thank you for visiting mine
Audrey McGill´s last blog post..What A Difference Fabric Can Make!
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I needed to read this today. I wish I leaned toward the optimistic, but in truth I do not. I tend to think of everything that could go wrong and almost expect the worst. Knowing this about myself helps me reign it in a little.
When I stop to think about the positive side of things it truly stuns me, “We are lucky people.” Thanks for the reminder.
Nicki at Domestic Cents´s last blog post..Off-Season Shopping
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I love this. I think I’ll start quoting your grandfather, because we ARE lucky people.
P.S. I wonder why it always shows such an old post on my comments here (CommentLuv)? I wrote that post at least a month ago. Weird.
Julia @ Hooked on Houses´s last blog post..“The American President:” The West Wing on the Big Screen
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What a wonderful sentiment and one I hope my grandchildren will hold in their hearts should I ever be blessed with them. Our grandparents lived in another day and age but understood more than many of us do today the definition of “tough times”. My colleague wrote a blog post about that very subject. Like it or not, and I try to remain optimistic, but I think we’re all about to learn lessons we’d have been wise to learn decades ago from our grandparents.
Great post!
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Thank you for this post. I am not good about commenting, but I often read your blog and this post has ministered to me since I read it. Just a few weeks after reading it, we suffered a loss and this post helped me look around at my life and the abundance of blessings and truly say, “We are lucky people.” The time to be thankful is now, even when we have sadness, even when the economy is uncertain, even when all is not as it should be.
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