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01-14-2008, 08:44 AM
Appreciation
An elderly woman lived alone in a dingy, old hut. She complained loudly about its lack of amenities, and her fairy godmother was moved with pity. With a swish of her wand, she changed the hut into a comfortable cottage. But the elderly woman complained that the cottage was too small, and so her fairy godmother changed the cottage into a large house. Now the woman complained that with such a large house, she could not possibly live comfortably without several servants. So the fairy godmother went all out for the woman, and with a grand swish of her wand, changed the house into a huge palace complete with servants. But this time, the elderly woman complained that the servants were lazy, and that too much of the palace management fell on her alone. Exasperated, the fairy godmother cut through the air with a final swish of her wand, and the elderly woman found herself back in the dingy, old hut.
Rich or poor, the woman seemed determined to be unhappy. Some might say that if you are going to be unhappy anyway, you might as well be unhappy while being rich. But, finally, it did not really matter. Because of the woman's inability to appreciate anything, everything was lost to her. What good are the gifts of life if their goodness is not appreciated or enjoyed?
Lord, help me to be more aware of your goodness that so often comes to me through people and through the things in life you allow me to enjoy. Deepen my appreciation for your gifts.
Focus Your Day
An elderly woman lived alone in a dingy, old hut. She complained loudly about its lack of amenities, and her fairy godmother was moved with pity. With a swish of her wand, she changed the hut into a comfortable cottage. But the elderly woman complained that the cottage was too small, and so her fairy godmother changed the cottage into a large house. Now the woman complained that with such a large house, she could not possibly live comfortably without several servants. So the fairy godmother went all out for the woman, and with a grand swish of her wand, changed the house into a huge palace complete with servants. But this time, the elderly woman complained that the servants were lazy, and that too much of the palace management fell on her alone. Exasperated, the fairy godmother cut through the air with a final swish of her wand, and the elderly woman found herself back in the dingy, old hut.
Rich or poor, the woman seemed determined to be unhappy. Some might say that if you are going to be unhappy anyway, you might as well be unhappy while being rich. But, finally, it did not really matter. Because of the woman's inability to appreciate anything, everything was lost to her. What good are the gifts of life if their goodness is not appreciated or enjoyed?
Lord, help me to be more aware of your goodness that so often comes to me through people and through the things in life you allow me to enjoy. Deepen my appreciation for your gifts.
Focus Your Day