I was walking in the park the other day with a fellow mom who was venting her frustrations about her child developing an attitude of entitlement. The entitlement mentality--the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment--is becoming a greater concern in modern times because of our lives of abundance. It has never been easier to get what we want and deserve without having to work for it. We deserve a new car and zero percent financing allows us to own it before we can afford it. Credit cards urge us to purchase those new shoes because we're worth it.
So what's the cure? We have to adjust our attitude from entitlement to gratitude. Acknowledge and appreciate the benefits we receive and say thank you.
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| Who do you need to tell thanks? |
I'm thankful to the guy who fixed our leaky roof--especially on a rainy day. I'm thankful for the dishwasher doing the dishes so I have time to write. I'm thankful my 18-month-old daughter slept for 12 hours last night. I'm thankful my husband has a job so I can focus more time on my family.
A thankful heart has no room for entitlement. I'm honored to receive a service or a gift instead of deserving such special treatment. Are you entitled to that five-course restaurant dinner or are you grateful for the groceries in your cabinet? It's not wrong to enjoy luxuries, but it's right to be thankful for what you have instead of feeling you deserve something better.
