“Two different kinds of joy exist. And they are often easily mistaken for each other. One kind of joy comes from the world outside, and another joy comes from a place inside. The inner joy is completely independent of everything else that happens in life. It is easy to confuse the joy on the inside with the joy that comes from the outside, especially when so many things outside us give us joy.”–Shane Hipps
Like joy, gratitude can come from within or without. Indeed, one might argue that joy and gratitude are one in the same.
Inner gratitude is independent of what happens to us in life. Gratitude is a decision one makes. It is easy to be grateful for the things for which we should be grateful. That is, it comes more natural for us to express the gratefulness and thanksgiving for that which comes from outside—to be grateful for the good (things) we receive. Who is not grateful, after all, for a gift, a compliment, good health, friends, etc.? Inner gratitude allows us to see the good and the opportunity in everything we receive. It is being grateful for the lost job, the person who cuts you off, the flat tire, …, and the difficulties, etc. that we face.
To consistently experience inner gratitude, we have to understand that there is purpose in everything that happens. Our lives are infinitely intertwined and, thus, what happens to me affects another and, in turn, another, and another, and so on. We cannot escape the principle of “six degrees of separation”. The bible teaches that “all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28). It does not read “for the good”. In other words, life is not going to always be smooth sailing. Bad things happen to good people. Some very horrific things sometimes happen to people who are undeserving. Still, good can and does come out of the worst in humanity—if we allow it and if we seek it.
This is not to say that we should jump for joy and be grateful when difficulties arise and horrible things happen. Of course, there is a time for anger and sorrow. Inner gratitude allows us to move beyond the pain and allow good to come from it.
Our gratitude must come from within. If we depend upon the outside world as the source of our gratitude, we can never be happy. We will, from time to time, experience surges of gratitude, but we will otherwise find cause to be miserable. Choosing to be grateful, whatever the circumstance, leads to contentment. It leads to true joy.
Carpe momento!