On a typical morning, the commute to work is a grueling experience for many. However, last week, something unexpected happened – the morning traffic was surprisingly light, and I managed to get to work in under 40 minutes.
As I looked out the window, I couldn't help but wonder what was behind this unusual phenomenon. Was it a public holiday that I had forgotten about? Had the police blocked off a major highway? Or was there a riot up ahead that motorists were avoiding?
Gratitude and Suspicion ¶
As I pondered these possibilities, I realized that I was behaving like someone who is so used to having a raw deal that they are caught off guard when good things happen. It's as if we've become accustomed to expecting the worst, and when something good does occur, we're left wondering what's behind it.
This phenomenon is not limited to our daily commutes. Think of a relative who has never wanted anything to do with you, only to show up at your doorstep one Saturday afternoon bearing gifts. Or a colleague who normally ignores you, only to compliment you on your dress one day. In each of these situations, we're left wondering what the ulterior motive is, rather than simply accepting the good fortune and being grateful.
As the writer of this piece, I'm guilty of this behavior myself. I'm reminded of a time when I was surprised to find my husband home early from work. Instead of being grateful, I was anxious, wondering if something was wrong.
Learning to Appreciate the Good ¶
Perhaps it's time for us to relearn how to appreciate the good things in life, without immediately assuming that there's something more to it. By doing so, we might just find that we're more grateful, more open, and more willing to accept the unexpected good fortunes that come our way.
