Gratitude

When Matthew McConaughey won an Oscar in 2014, he said something that stayed with me since then … he said

“He has shown me that … it’s a scientific fact that gratitude reciprocates” — Matthew McConaughey

That was part of Matthew McConaughey’s speech when he received his Oscar this week. While growing up, our parents try their best to teach us about appreciation, because someone else out there doesn’t have what you have. We never really got the idea of what they were trying to teach us until we got older and realized that – all they were trying to do is protect us from the harsh world. And let me tell you this – this world we live in is not cute even on a Sunday afternoon. It’s unfortunate that for you to understand the value of what you had – you need to loose it first.

When I was a teenager, I thought that it was mandatory at music awards, or any awards ceremony really, for everyone to thank God. Like, there would be a guy who says you must thank God or we shall take that award away. Then, later, I realized that it’s not mandatory but more about gratitude than anything else. Everyone great has an amazing story to tell and when those people blow up, usually people don’t remember the hardship that person went through, they just see the glory. Growing up teaches you these lessons and if you fail to learn just one of them, they’ll keep on coming back. So, listening is a better option.

While watching Being Mary Jane the other day …

The chauffeur tells Mary Jane about a book “Ask and It is given.” He tells her how his life changed when he started being grateful. — Being Mary Jane

he carries on to say …

The universe already knows our hearts desires and If we just keep our radios dialed to gratefulness, all of what we want will be ours. Stay grateful even when faced with the storm of life. Everything you’re going through is preparing you for what you asked for

I believe that “Everything you’re going through is preparing you for what you asked for” because if you look at where you are right now, the struggles that you’ve been through in life moulded you to the person you are today. So, you will get there some day, it might not be today but you will get your chance. All you have to do is to be prepared when that opportunity arrives. While we wait for that opportunity be grateful.

Pablo Picasso once said: ‘Inspiration exists. It just has to find you working.’ Gratitude is the same.

Photography: Lebogang Nkoane