As I approached the popular display, I noticed a simple sign that read, KING TUT’S DEATH MASK IS CURRENTLY ON EXHIBITION IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (USA).
All I could think was !&*%^#! (whatever that means). You gotta be kidding me. The Pharoh’s death mask is currently 4.5 hours from where I live! Geesh. Deep disappointment.
Another time I was in the beautiful, striking city of Amsterdam. I recommend this picturesque city with its amazing channels and stunning architecture. It’s something to see. It hosts many famous museums, including some of the world’s most recognized artists. The Van Gogh Museum was on my hit list. I’m not much of an art connoisseur, but I certainly recognize a picture of Starry Starry Night when I see one. When I got to where the picture was supposed to be displayed-- you guessed it--it was on display somewhere in the United States.
Gotta be kidding me. Same thing with the Code of Hammurabi when I visited the Louvre in France.
Apparently, the art gods hate me. Perhaps I have offended them with my naïveté regarding art, sculpture, and culture.
We will all agree that we like clear skies and sunny vacations, and we anticipate certain works of art to be on their pedestal when we visit them. Unfortunately, as we all understand, at least cognitively, that’s not the real world we live in…
Like you, I’ve had my share of disappointments. People can be totally baffling, to say the least. Hopes and dreams can be cruelly flattened, discarded, and dissed with the wave of a hand or the crinkle of an eyebrow.
Friends die too early. Children disappoint. Marriages don’t live up to our expectations. Globally, children endure cruel hunger. Humans are trafficked by evil persons. Life rains on our nice, organized party sometimes.
One in four of us is going to experience clinical depression in our lifetime. I took my turn for a bit in the 90s. Very dark and you can’t see a way out when you’re in the middle of it. Maya Angelou said, “Every storm runs out of rain.” She is spot on.
One thing I know now that I wish I knew a few decades ago, is the amazing, life-altering power of gratitude.
When we intentionally and purposefully alter the negative script in our mind and refuse to ruminate about the unconstructive, our lives get better. We are happier. Contentment escalates. Our mood lightens. Our filter clears.
When you find yourself squarely in the Eeyore Syndrome (I just made that up), intentional, focused, gratitude is your friend. It’s how we get back on track and find our way. You’re going to wander from the path from time to time; we all do. The question is, how long does it take us to make a mental adjustment and recalibrate our brain? Timeliness is vital. Gratitude is the bridge.
Start small. Begin with any, miniscule, positive thought/truth. I really mean anything. “God, thank you that I’m breathing. I’m grateful that there is sun out there-- someplace.”
Go outside, into nature, take a deeeeeep breath.
Thank you for my marriage. Thank you for my kids. Thank you that I have a toilet. And plenty of toilet paper. Thank you that I have food in my fridge and my stomach is not digesting itself in hunger. Thank you that you love me, God. Thank you that I have a few options—or many. (Others WISH they had the options you enjoy). Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for the gorgeous stars that are out tonight-- good job God!
You get the idea. This must be intentional. The goal is to catch yourself early. Gratitude helps you flip the script. It’s how you get fresh mental and emotional air into your lungs and keep moving.
I’m a slow learner, but I’m catching on. I think we all want to do better.
BONUS: your anxiety will decrease, your BP can lower, and positive brain chemicals will be released. I’m guessing that God knew this all along. He mentions thankfulness and gratitude a bunch in His sacred writings. :)
I’ll get us started…I thank God… for you!
Matt
For extra credit, check out Proverbs 13:12. Also, Colossians 3:17, Philippians 4:6-7.
To respond to any Pilgrimage devotional, you can email me directly at [email protected]
