Look to Yourself for Gratitude

Have you
become accustomed
to looking to other people
for gratification,
gratitude, and validation?

Do you attempt to be compassionate, kind, and forgiving but stop if you do not get validation from others? 

You may find yourself turning to
fear based ways when you do not get the response you expect.

Looking to others for validation is just the ego talking and originates in the belief that your happiness is dependent on outside approval of others.

Your happiness is an inside job. 
And you only need approval of yourself.

Today be concerned with who you are right now, not what you have or have not done in the past.

You may find it helpful to begin by being grateful for your capacity to be kind to another living being.  Is this not a precious and beautiful gift that is always available to you? 

Make the following commitment.  Each hour of a day.

'No matter what happens,
today my emphasis is on being kind to people, in both thought and action.'

Allow your kindness to expand to all the people in your life.  Even those with whom you are most tempted to become defensive.  They are here to teach you how to choose another way of thinking, acting, and being.

When you are defensive and afraid, you have nothing. 
When you are kind with a grateful heart,
you have everything.

You may assume that a lack of obvious positive response to your gifts of compassion and gratitude means the gifts were not received
or have gone unrecognized. 

If the recipient's behavior does not change, you may conclude your efforts were ignored. 

At such times you may be tempted to revert back to anger, attack, resentment, and defense.

Remember that it does not matter whether or not your gifts are considered worthy. 
Remind yourself often.

Be grateful for your capacity to be kind and loving. 

Gratitude is a part of love,
you experience love when you give love.

Walking Through Walls ~ Jampolsky