A Lesson on Gratitude from Your Refrigerator

If you happen to be one of the fortunate people in the world to actually have a refrigerator, you absolutely have something to be grateful for. I would wager that half of the world's population does not. But think for a moment about the contents of your refrigerator and even your freezer. We may stockpile food and beverages once a month with the intent of consuming everything, but for most of us, something inevitably goes uneaten and is left hidden away to spoil in the back, cold and alone.

Everything we put in a refrigerator can spoil or go stale, even water. Now, take this idea and apply it to society; habits, cultural nuances, personalities, relationships, etc. Society is very much like a refrigerator in that lots of things have the potential to spoil or become stale in relation to their environment. For some things, it may take years. For others, mere seconds.

Take negativity for instance. Few people are willing to tolerate excessive negativity for very long because it, in of itself, is such a spoiler.

Do you know what never spoils?

Gratitude!

Kindness and gratitude go hand in hand. Neither, if backed with sincerity, will ever expire in any environment because they serve as the ultimate societal preservative. The human race would out last cock roaches and Hostess Twinkies if we only expressed more appreciation and kindness for our environment and each other. Sadly, we as a species, are not prone to considering the whole of humanity in lieu of our own wants and needs. Selfish, unkind behavior will be the end of us.

For those of you reading, I encourage you to fill your fridge with happiness by expressing gratitude and kindness in bulk.

Italian actor, comedian, screen writer and director, Roberto Benigni, once said, "It's a sign of mediocrity when you demonstrate gratitude with moderation." So, enrich your diet and eat up!

Be kind. Be grateful.