There is perhaps no better environment to observe what ungratefulness produces when left unattended then in the arena of public education in America today. When thankfulness does appear (and it does, but not nearly enough), it is like the most pleasant aroma emanating from the blossom of a rare and exotic flower. The roots of such envy run deep in public education today and can strangle the forethought potential of students by burying an attitude of gratitude. Envy begets entitlement, but gratitude fosters productivity and vision. Clinical Psychiatrist, Dr. Henry Cloud describes clearly just how the infestation of ungratefulness entangles itself like thorns and thistles within the human psyche -choking potential out of a child's future:
"Children envy what another has, and what they have becomes no good at all. And then they protest if they can't have that other thing. They feel entitled to it.
The opposite of envy and entitlement is gratitude. Gratitude comes from the feeling of freely receiving things, not because we deserve them, but because someone has graced us with them. We feel a thankfulness grounded in love, and we cherish what we have received. There are not many things worse then being around an envious and entitled person; there are few things better than being around thankful and grateful people.
The two states -envious and grateful -have little to do with what a person actually receives. They have more to do with the character of the person. If you give something to entitled, envious people, it profits your debt to them. If you give to grateful people they feel overwhelmed with how fortunate they are and how good you are. Parents [..and teachers :-)] need to help children work through their feelings of entitlement and envy and move to a position of gratitude." -Boundaries with Kids, Cloud/Townsend
http://www.cloudtownsend.com/about/cloud.php
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