Being Grateful

I'm not sure if it's human nature or just my nature, but why does it seem like people tend to focus on the negative and the things that we don't have? Maybe it's easier to do that. Or maybe it's because we take the things we do have for granted. Or maybe it's just the American culture of "keeping up with the Jones'. Or maybe it's all of the above.

Lately things at work haven't been too great. When my coworkers or I start to complain about, I've been reminding myself (and them) to put things into perspective and be grateful for the things that I do have.

1. I am employed, which is huge in the current economic climate. I know quite a few people who have been affected by the economic downturn and have lost their jobs. Whenever I talk to them, I'm thankful that I'm not among the ranks of the unemployed.
2. Unlike some of my friends, I haven't had to take a pay cut or take forced time off without pay or a reduction in benefits.
   
3. I have quite a bit of flexibility in my job, which enables me to work from home a few days a week. Not sure if that will continue to be the case after we all move into one building. But for now, it's great!
4. The new company is very dog friendly and quite a few people bring their dogs to work. I brought Tachi to the office a couple weeks ago on a Friday when I didn't have many meetings. He did okay, but whenever I left, he'd get anxious and do his half-bark. It was cool bringing him to work, but I'd prefer to work from home to enjoy spending time with Tachi.
   
5. The new company stocks our kitchen with tons of free food, drinks and snacks. I'm talking about bread, mini-bagels, yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, fresh fruit, english muffins, lunch meat, cheese, peanut butter, jelly, animal crackers, trail mix, mixed nuts, chips and soda. The kitchen gets re-stocked every Tuesday. The funny thing is that it's prettys slim pickings by the time Wednesday afternoon rolls around (the fruit is completely gone by Tuesday evening). I think people are doing their weekly grocery shopping at the company kitchen.
   

So, when I'm having a rough day or feeling sorry for myself, I start repeating the above list of things to be grateful for and amazingly everything seems just a little bit better.