You are probably acquainted with the hedonic treadmill, or what I usually call hedonic acclimation. It asserts, quite correctly, that humans tend to become accustomed to whatever the circumstances in their life are and consider that to be “normal“, whether you’re imprisoned or living the vapid life of endless indulgence like Lauren Sanchez or Paris Hilton. Whatever you encounter day to day becomes the norm, and slight variances from that become good or bad……….but just for you.
Something occurred to me the other day which seems rather obvious but, in that moment, seems relatively insightful. You probably have observed, as I have, how difficult it is to practice to daily gratitude which is so often recommended to us. I excel – – and I mean excel!! – – at self-pity, so I often fall well short of the gratitude I should express. I have an exceptionally marvelously life, when objectively examined, but God knows I hardly ever recognize that.
It occurred to me why it is that we all have so much difficulty with gratitude: it’s because we consider our circumstances to be normal. Ordinary. Expected. And, as such, nothing for which we should drop on our knees and express gratitude for living within.
I don’t have a suggestion to escape from this mental trap, but perhaps by at least recognizing it I can understand why it is that it is, by its own nature, challenging to wrench oneself from the notion that whatever our lives are is as-it-should-be, and instead take a 90,000 foot view of our own lives and appreciate just how exceptionally lucky we are.
I can pretty much assure you that the fact you are able to be reading these words right now – – spending time on the Slope of Hope, of all places – – affirms you are one very lucky individual and mustn’t forget it.
