Ungrateful Eyes

Jon Bellion asks a powerful question in his song of similar title, “Ungrateful Eyes”. He asks, “All we want to know is where the stars came from but do we ever stop to watch them shine or are we staring with ungrateful eyes?” When last did you enjoy a moment for exactly what it is, a moment? No expectation, no other thought besides the moment you’re in or is everything a statement of intent?

I don’t know what it is but the world we live in today is at such an erratic pace that it can be near impossible to navigate and we end up folding like a chair and not moving. Everything has to have a profit and loss statement. The world is moving too quick and if you take a moment to smell the flowers, chances are someone else is benefiting. The world actually has us convinced that if someone else succeeds then it’s coming out of our success quota. So hustle.

Is life really about being paranoid that we are missing out on something and in between we go all out to ensure we never miss out again? FOMO. Is the pace set before us beneficial for our health? Ultimately it’s about the bank balance but Pompi said a serious truth, “kulibe coffin ilina tumba” basically meaning there is no coffin that comes with pockets for your money my people.

If you could survive and thrive in this world and it wasn’t about money, would you still be on the path you’re currently on? There is an element of ungrateful to not take several moments to smell the coffee and watch the rain, better yet dance in the rain. To find shelter from the scorching sun and be thankful for the breathe that courses through our systems. Whatever the consideration of gratitude do we take time to understand that this life that we pursue for things we cannot take with us when we die. This life, this crazy life, unpredictable and surely can’t be about simply clocking a job to get a pay. It simply cannot be about high stake achievements in a cut throat world.

Suppose for a brief second it is, suppose for all of us, the ultimate goal is the summit at the mountain of wealth. You see free money on an unguarded mountain top, you’re with your family or loved ones. You see it and want to go back down the mountain and climb the other one. Most people claim to love money, so if your people weren’t interested in stopping their good time to go back down and climb again. Would you leave them and go it alone to pick up the money?

If you answered yes, I pray you find the strength for your long journey. If no, I ask why not? I at one point thought money was the most amazing security blanket until I realised there were more times I genuinely remember being at my happiest and I was broke surrounded by people I love. Turning 27 recently, reminded me of the importance of having people I love around me. Suffocating in their amazement and basking joyfully in their splendour.

I don’t know what motivates people but I know money is nice but I’m not motivated by money. I’m motivated by feelings of gratitude. I don’t want to be remembered for having money but for being helpful and that isn’t a money thing, that’s a willingness thing. Am I willing to not care enough about expectations and recognition and just be grateful for life to extents that I want nothing more than to grateful for this air and more than anything else always maintain that perspective and be of help.

Whatever your life resembles only you know where the lines to not cross are and only you can decide what the gratitude is. But I feel this conversation has confused me more than brought clarity. I may type all these nice words but the facts remain, hungry bellies are hard to compromise with. When life is at its worst it’s hard to be grateful, when life is filled with coal instead of toys, how can we be grateful?

Honestly, I don’t know, but we attract what we put out into the world, so I decided no matter what it takes I need to sort my heart posture on gratitude. I’m far from where I want to be but also far from where I started and I will be honest, developing grateful eyes has been a revelation on my out look in life. Funny thing is it doesn’t even fix anything, I don’t suddenly find the money I need or do the things I want but the ride is definitely a lot smoother. Like putting in new shocks and raising the suspension of your car. Its smooth, I can feel the bumps but they don’t bring me discomfort. Smooth.

But also because we are meant for more than stress, live a full life. Not just for cash but for passion, for pleasure, for health and yes even for success. This is my understanding of what being grateful can do in ones life. The difference is perspective, and oh my, what a difference!