We all have met the gratitude enforcement officers: the ones who respond to any complaint, however small, with a citation in the form of a tight little smile and the words, “But at least …” Gratitude enforcement officers insist you admit what you’ve got going for you; to pay your debt to society you must be thankful, proving that you are—or at least can convincingly
This is an interesting post, Mindy. I had never thought about how a 'gratitude enforcer' makes me feel unheard. Last week I had to cancel a vacation trip one day before our flight because of covid. My disappointment stung. But well-meaning friends said things like, "Well, at least you could be sick in your own house rather than a hotel room", or "at least you didn't infect anyone else on the trip." All true, but it didn't acknowledge my feelings of loss for having to miss the vacation I had planned a year in advance. And then I had to deal with vague feelings of guilt or smallness for indulging myself in my sadness and not taking the high road of looking on the bright side! I will remember your thoughts next time I am tempted to remind someone else of their blessings when they are hurting.
Another stunning piece, Mindy! It is tough to have a driving passion that requires solitude…I get it! The vision of you at home balancing your laptop, baby, and kitty is such beautiful truth. Keep finding the moments to write. (You help me!)
I’m mulling in a very similar topic. I think people are lacking a true center, a connectedness to something bigger, something other than themselves. What else but self sovereignty explains this compulsion to deny suffering, to “fix it” or gloss over it or deflect without feeling? A big part of the many problems in our culture.
This is an interesting post, Mindy. I had never thought about how a 'gratitude enforcer' makes me feel unheard. Last week I had to cancel a vacation trip one day before our flight because of covid. My disappointment stung. But well-meaning friends said things like, "Well, at least you could be sick in your own house rather than a hotel room", or "at least you didn't infect anyone else on the trip." All true, but it didn't acknowledge my feelings of loss for having to miss the vacation I had planned a year in advance. And then I had to deal with vague feelings of guilt or smallness for indulging myself in my sadness and not taking the high road of looking on the bright side! I will remember your thoughts next time I am tempted to remind someone else of their blessings when they are hurting.
Thank you for your thoughts ... and I'm sorry you had to miss your vacation!!
Another stunning piece, Mindy! It is tough to have a driving passion that requires solitude…I get it! The vision of you at home balancing your laptop, baby, and kitty is such beautiful truth. Keep finding the moments to write. (You help me!)
I’m mulling in a very similar topic. I think people are lacking a true center, a connectedness to something bigger, something other than themselves. What else but self sovereignty explains this compulsion to deny suffering, to “fix it” or gloss over it or deflect without feeling? A big part of the many problems in our culture.
💞 AA
Love this point, Amy.